June 24, 2026
Ms. Cortez Masto (for herself and Mr. Scott of Florida) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide an additional tool to prevent certain frauds against veterans, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Preventing Crimes Against Veterans Act of 2026
.
Sec. 2. Additional tool to prevent certain frauds against veterans
(a) In general
Chapter 63 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
1353. Fraud regarding veterans’ benefits
(a)
Whoever knowingly executes, or attempts to execute, any scheme or artifice to defraud an individual of veterans’ benefits, or in connection with obtaining veteran’s benefits for that individual, shall be fined under this title, imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or both.
(b)
In this section—
(1)
the term veteran has the meaning given that term in section 101 of title 38; and
(2)
the term veterans’ benefits means any benefit provided by Federal law for a veteran or a dependent or survivor of a veteran.
(b) Clerical amendment
The table of sections for chapter 63 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: