Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the bill before us today makes a small but significant change to the Federal fraud statutes to protect veterans from criminals who seek to steal their benefits. It does so by inserting a new provision into the criminal code to complement the mail and wire fraud statutes. Unfortunately, there have been reports in recent years of criminals entering nursing homes in search of elderly veterans with the intent to defraud them of their Federal benefits. Like many crimes of fraud, these fraudsters present themselves to their victims as a helping hand in a time of need. This is a truly despicable crime worthy of this body's attention. This legislation has passed this House three times by overwhelming margins, including a vote of 417-0 last Congress. Our men and women in uniform have sacrificed much for us. They have earned our gratitude, our respect, and our protection. Mr. Speaker, there is little, in my mind, more contemptuous than someone who tries to defraud a veteran of what they have earned in defense of our country. We must put an end to this fraud. I urge all my colleagues to support this measure. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.”