Steube Bipartisan Legislation to Properly Honor Nation’s Veterans Passes House Natural Resources Committee

WASHINGTON, D.C.— The House Natural Resources Committee approved the Free Veterans from Fees Act, which Steube reintroduced earlier this Congress. This bipartisan legislation would waive application fees for special use permits for veterans’ demonstrations and special events at war memorials on federal land.

“Our veterans sacrificed everything for our freedom, and they should not be subjected to burdensome fees to visit America’s military memorials or go on their own honor trips,” Steube said. “I am honored to see this bipartisan legislation take the next step towards becoming law so we can properly honor our nation’s heroes.”

Throughout the year, veterans’ groups and Gold Star Families visit national war memorials arranged through various veterans’ organizations. To obtain a permit for their visit, oftentimes, these veterans’ groups must pay burdensome administrative fees and other processing costs related to visiting memorials.

This bill would waive fees associated with any demonstration or special event whose primary purpose is to commemorate or honor either a group of people because of their service as veterans or immediate family members of veterans. Permit applications remain subject to all other laws, regulations, and policies regarding the application, issuance, and execution of special use permits for veterans’ demonstrations or special events.

Original cosponsors include U.S. Representatives Ron Kind (D-Wis.), Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.), James Baird (R-Ind.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), James Langevin (D-R.I.), Randy Weber (R-Texas), David Joyce (R-Ohio), Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), Jody Hice (R-Ga.), Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa), Bod Good (R-Va.), Chris Stewart (R-Utah), Michael Waltz (R-Fla.), and Tom McClintock (R-Calif.). Other cosponsors include U.S. Representatives Jim Hagedorn (R-Minn.), Joe Neguse (D-Colo.), and Steve Stivers (R-Ohio).

Co-lead Kind said, “It’s great to see this bipartisan legislation to waive application fees for the facilitation of honor flights and honor buses get one step closer to becoming law. Our veterans served with dignity and courage, and although we can never repay the debt of gratitude we owe, this legislation is a way to honor our nation’s heroes.”

Steube introduced identical legislation in the 116th Congress, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives with bipartisan support.