News release from Congressman Marlin Stutzman:
Stutzman Attacks Fraud in VA Program
Authored legislation passes out of subcommittee(Washington, D.C. – May 5, 2011) – Today, Congressman Marlin Stutzman (R-IN-03) along with other members of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity reported favorably H. R. 1657 to the full Committee. H. R. 1657 is legislation authored by Stutzman to protect the interests of Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOB) by setting penalties for businesses that misrepresent their eligibility. This bipartisan bill will protect Service -Disabled businesses from those that misrepresent their Service-Disabled status.
“With businesses dishonestly taking advantage of the benefits set aside for Service-Disabled Veterans I am pleased that H. R. 1657 will be going to the full committee for consideration.” Stutzman said “We are obligated to protect the interests and benefits of our Nation’s Service-Disabled Veterans. The VA currently awards 17% of its total contract dollars to SDVOBs and this law will require verification of their authenticity. The GAO (Government Accountability Office) in 2009-2010 cited a lack of fraud-prevention controls and determined a number of firms fraudulently participating in the program These men and women have protected us; the least we can do is honor their service and sacrifice. This bill is both fiscally responsible and meets the needs of our veterans.”
More information on H. R. 1657 can be found at www.Thomas.gov.
Congressman Stutzman represents the 3rd Congressional District of Indiana and serves on the House Committee on Agriculture, the House Committee on the Budget and the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity. Indiana’s 3rd District contains all of DeKalb, Kosciusko, Lagrange, Noble, Steuben, and Whitley counties; as well as parts of Allen and Elkhart counties.