Following Hurricane Helene’s catastrophic damage throughout Florida’s gulf coast, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) met with the Florida Farm Bureau as well as local agricultural producers, farmers, and growers to discuss the storm’s impact. Photos are courtesy of...
Following Hurricane Helene’s catastrophic damage throughout Florida’s Gulf Coast, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) met with local officials and volunteers from the barrier islands to discuss the storm’s impact and current recovery efforts. Photos are courtesy of...
Hurricane Helene made landfall as a Category 4 storm, causing catastrophic damage along Florida’s Gulf Coast. It’s crucial for the federal government to expedite state-requested resources and authorize key policy flexibilities in order for Floridians to make a swift...
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio’s (R-FL) office will host two in-person events to assist constituents affected by Hurricane Helene and help navigate applications for FEMA assistance. Food, water, and additional resources will be available at the events. Event...
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio’s (R-FL) office will host in-person and virtual Mobile Office Hours next week to assist constituents with federal casework issues in their respective local communities. These office hours offer constituents who do not live close to one of...
Following the impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Debby, some local governments in Florida face looming budget shortfalls that could disrupt disaster recovery efforts. If these local governments receive reimbursements for past hurricanes from the Federal Emergency...
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Roy Blunt (R-MO), and Todd Young (R-IN) reintroduced the Protect Our Disabled Heroes Act of 2019, a bill to protect our nation’s disabled veterans from unethical and unfair practices in applying for Veterans Administration (VA) disability claims. Specifically, Rubio’s legislation would protect disabled veterans from unethical fees charged by third party organizations in preparing and executing veterans disability claims. It would also reinstate criminal penalties for individuals charging veterans unauthorized fees.
Since the creation of the VA, numerous independent Veteran Service Organizations have assisted veterans in filing disability claims free of charge. However, many veterans are unaware that such services should be provided at no cost and instead seek assistance through attorneys and organizations that charge a filing fee.
“It’s appalling that bad actors take advantage of our brave veterans trying to secure disability benefits, and we should do everything possible to protect them against predatory practices,” Rubio said. “Our veterans served our country honorably and they deserve better. It’s time to punish those who prey on our nation’s heroes who have returned home.”
“It is absolutely reprehensible for anyone to seek a profit by defrauding disabled veterans,” Blunt said. “The criminals who prey upon veterans’ efforts to get the benefits they have earned must be held accountable. By protecting disabled veterans from scams and fraudulent fees, this bill will help us do our part to honor the sacrifices these heroes have made.”
“Charging unfair fees to take advantage of disabled veterans is truly appalling. As a Marine, I’m proud to cosponsor this bill, which would reinstate criminal penalties for these unethical, immoral acts and protect our disabled veterans. We must do all we can to protect those who have already sacrificed so much,” Young said.