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119-hr-8841119th CongressWALLET

Veteran Scam Victims Foundation Act

Sponsored By: Representative Whitesides, George [D-CA-27]

In Committee

Summary

Prevent veterans and their beneficiaries from becoming victims of scams by creating a nonprofit Veteran Scam Victims Foundation that would raise private gifts, run education programs, and provide support services to victims. The Foundation would be independent of the federal government and would not pay victims for monetary losses.

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  • Veterans and beneficiaries would get targeted education and support aimed at preventing scams and helping victims access nonfinancial assistance; the Foundation could not provide compensation for monetary losses.
  • The Department of Veterans Affairs would consult with the Foundation and may provide facilities or services to it, with any reimbursements returned to the original account for reuse without a new appropriation.
  • Private donors could give gifts, including restricted or trust gifts, to benefit VA activities; the Foundation and its transactions would be exempt from federal, state, and local taxes and transfers to it are deemed contributions to the United States.
  • Governance would center on a Board chaired by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and include six private citizen appointees named by federal leaders, plus up to three additional private members; board members would not be paid but could be reimbursed for travel and subsistence.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Nonprofit to help veteran scam victims

If enacted, the bill would create the Veteran Scam Victims Foundation as a private, tax-exempt nonprofit separate from the United States. The foundation would raise and manage private gifts to support VA-related anti-scam outreach, education, and victim support. It would be allowed to accept restricted or encumbered gifts and to hold, sell, lease, invest, or otherwise manage property after consulting with VA. The foundation would not provide monetary compensation to veterans or beneficiaries for losses from scams.

Foundation board led by VA Secretary

If enacted, the bill would create a Board chaired by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs or the Secretary's designee. Six private citizens would be appointed one each by Commerce, Defense, the Attorney General, the FTC Chair, the IRS Commissioner, and the SSA Administrator. The Secretary could appoint up to three additional private members. Private citizen members would serve six-year terms with staggered initial terms, vacancies would be filled for the unexpired term, the board must meet at least once a year, and members would receive no pay but could be reimbursed for travel. Board members would not be personally liable except for malfeasance, and the board could adopt bylaws and regulations.

Tax exemption and liability limits

If enacted, the bill would make the Foundation and its income, property, and transactions exempt from federal, state, and local taxation. The foundation could agree to pay local government costs up to the amount it would owe if not tax-exempt when that is a condition of a transfer. Contributions, gifts, and transfers to the foundation would be treated as transfers to or for the use of the United States. The United States would not be liable for the foundation's debts, defaults, acts, or omissions.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Whitesides, George [D-CA-27]

CA • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Shreve, Jefferson [R-IN-6]

    IN • R

    Sponsored 5/14/2026

  • Rep. Scott, Austin [R-GA-8]

    GA • R

    Sponsored 5/14/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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