Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)
SAFEGUARD Veterans Act of 2026
A Democratic bill with 10 Democratic cosponsors · See all 12 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill brings back criminal penalties for people who charge veterans unauthorized fees for help with VA benefit claims. It requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide notices to claimants about available accredited representation and online tools to search for accredited, suspended, or excluded persons. The legislation adds warnings on VA websites to discourage veterans from sharing account log-in credentials with anyone. It also requires claim forms to include questions asking if the claimant was charged for assistance or coaching. Finally, the bill sets up a new accreditation system and places restrictions on the use of certain automated telephone equipment to call federal departments or agencies.
Yes· 3 of 9
- Scored +9
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?
The bill directly safeguards veterans from financial exploitation and ensures access to trustworthy, accredited representation.
- Scored +8
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?
The legislation reinstates criminal penalties for charging unauthorized fees and establishes robust accreditation tools to protect veterans' benefits.
- Scored +7
Does this help veterans get medical care?
The bill protects veterans from financial exploitation by unaccredited actors regarding benefit claims.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 2 reinstates criminal penalties, fines, and imprisonment for up to one year for anyone who charges veterans unauthorized fees relating to benefit claims, which protects veterans from being financially exploited by unaccredited individuals.
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Section 3 requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide notice to unrepresented claimants regarding the availability of accredited representation, along with website addresses for an online search tool and a reporting mechanism for unaccredited persons and unauthorized fees, helping veterans find trustworthy assistance.
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Section 3 and Section 4 improve warnings on Department websites and online tools regarding fees that agents or attorneys may charge, and add messages discouraging veterans from sharing their Department or bank account log-in credentials with anyone, protecting their personal and financial security.
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Section 5 requires VA claim forms to include a question asking whether the claimant was charged for assistance or coaching and an option to name the person who provided it, which helps hold bad actors accountable.
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Section 6 requires the creation of an accreditation system with 99.9 percent uptime that enables clients to file complaints regarding agents and attorneys, making it easier for people to report misconduct.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Section 2 bars individuals who violate the fee rules from recognition as an agent or attorney for a period of one year for the first violation and 10 years for each subsequent violation, which imposes strict professional consequences on those who break the rules.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — The bill directly safeguards veterans from financial exploitation and ensures access to trustworthy, accredited representation. Would retired people be better off under this? — Older retired veterans benefit from increased defenses against predatory schemes targeting benefits. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Many older veterans and retirees benefit from enhanced protections against predatory fee charges. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Protects economically vulnerable veterans from losing portions of their benefits to unauthorized fees.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill enhances transparency by creating online lookup tools for accredited representatives and reporting mechanisms for misconduct. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill supersedes state laws regarding recognition and fee agreements for claims representatives.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The legislation reinstates criminal penalties for charging unauthorized fees and establishes robust accreditation tools to protect veterans' benefits.
- Healthcare
- Does this help veterans get medical care? — The bill protects veterans from financial exploitation by unaccredited actors regarding benefit claims.
- Education And Technology
- Does this give people more control over their personal data? — The bill adds warnings and educational messaging regarding protecting credentials and personal account information.
- 6/1/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 12 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
3 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Tammy BaldwinDemocrat · Wisconsin
Michael BennetDemocrat · Colorado
Ruben GallegoDemocrat · Arizona
Amy KlobucharDemocrat · Minnesota
Mark KellyDemocrat · Arizona
Angus KingIndependent · Maine
Ben LujánDemocrat · New Mexico
Jacky RosenDemocrat · Nevada
Bernie SandersIndependent · Vermont
Jeanne ShaheenDemocrat · New Hampshire
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont
Sheldon WhitehouseDemocrat · Rhode Island