Hearing: Legislative Hearing on: Discussion Draft, Governing Unaccredited Representatives Defrauding VA Benefits Act; Discussion Draft, Preserving Lawful Utilization of Services for Veterans Act of 2025; and Discussion Draft: To amend title 38, United States Code, to allow for certain fee agreements for services rendered in the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of initial claims and supplemental claims for benefits under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs (Committee on Veterans' Affairs)

Wednesday, March 5, 2025 (10:15 AM)

360 CHOB
Washington, D.C.

Witnesses

Panel one

The Honorable Jack Bergman
Member of Congress, Washington D.C.

Added 03/03/2025 at 10:21 AM

The Honorable Chris Pappas
Member of Congress, Washington D.C.

Added 03/03/2025 at 10:21 AM

Panel two

Mr. Josh Smith
Chief Executive Officer, Veteran Benefits Guide

Added 03/03/2025 at 10:21 AM
  • Witness Testimony - Mr. Smith [PDF] Added 03/03/2025 at 10:45 AM
  • Truth in Testimony Disclosure Form [PDF] Added 03/04/2025 at 10:31 AM
  • Witness Biography - Mr. Smith [PDF] Added 03/03/2025 at 01:48 PM

Lieutenant Colonel William "Bill" Taylor (Ret.)
Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer, Veterans Guardian VA Claim Consulting

Added 03/03/2025 at 10:21 AM
  • Witness Testimony - Lt Col Taylor [PDF] Added 03/03/2025 at 10:28 AM
  • Truth in Testimony Disclosure Form - Lt Col Taylor [PDF] Added 03/03/2025 at 10:28 AM
  • Witness Biography - Lt Col Taylor [PDF] Added 03/04/2025 at 10:31 AM

Mr. Peter O'Rourke
President, National Association for Veterans Rights

Added 03/03/2025 at 10:21 AM
  • Witness Testimony - Mr. O'Rourke [PDF] Added 03/03/2025 at 10:28 AM
  • Truth in Testimony Disclosure Form - Mr. O'Rourke [PDF] Added 03/03/2025 at 10:28 AM
  • Witness Biography - Mr. O'Rourke [PDF] Added 03/03/2025 at 10:28 AM

Ms. Diane Boyd Rauber
Executive Director, National Organization of Veterans' Advocates

Added 03/03/2025 at 10:21 AM
  • Witness Testimony - Ms. Boyd Rauber [PDF] Added 03/03/2025 at 10:28 AM
  • Truth in Testimony Disclosure Form - Ms. Boyd Rauber [PDF] Added 03/03/2025 at 10:28 AM
  • Witness Biography - Ms. Boyd Rauber [PDF] Added 03/03/2025 at 10:28 AM

Mr. Pat Murray
Director, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars

Added 03/03/2025 at 10:21 AM
  • Witness Testimony - Mr. Murray [PDF] Added 03/03/2025 at 10:28 AM
  • Truth in Testimony Disclosure Form - Mr. Murray [PDF] Added 03/03/2025 at 10:28 AM
  • Witness Biography - Mr. Murray [PDF] Added 03/03/2025 at 10:28 AM

Text of Legislation

  • H.R. 1656 - To amend title 38, United States Code, to permit certain fee agreements between claimants and agents or attorneys for the preparations, presentation, or prosecution of initial claims for benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes (Rep. Bergman) [PDF] Added 03/04/2025 at 10:47 AM
  • H.R. 1732 - To amend title 38, United States Code, to reinstate penalties for persons charging veterans unauthorized fees relating to claims for benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes (Rep. Pappas) [PDF] Added 03/04/2025 at 10:47 AM
  • Discussion Draft, To amend title 38, United States Code, to allow for certain fee agreements for services rendered in the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of initial claims and supplemental claims for benefits under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes [PDF] Added 03/04/2025 at 10:47 AM

Support Documents

  • Hearing Notice [PDF]
  • Statement for the Record - Disabled American Veterans [PDF] Added 03/03/2025 at 10:34 AM
  • Statement for the Record - Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America [PDF] Added 03/03/2025 at 10:34 AM
  • Statement for the Record - The American Legion [PDF] Added 03/04/2025 at 10:31 AM
  • Statement for the Record - U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs [PDF] Added 03/18/2025 at 04:21 PM

Hearing Record

  • Witness List [PDF] Added 03/03/2025 at 10:16 AM

First Published: February 24, 2025 at 02:05 PM
Last Updated: March 18, 2025 at 04:21 PM


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