Steube Legislation to Waive Burdensome Fees for Veterans Introduced in the Senate
WASHINGTON, D.C.— The Senate companion bill to U.S. Representative Greg Steube’s (R-Fla.) legislation, the Free Veterans from Fees Act, was introduced by U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.).
“Our veterans have made countless sacrifices to protect our freedoms, and the least we can do is ensure that they are not subjected to burdensome fees when visiting memorials built in their honor,” Steube said. “I am honored that Senator Rubio is championing this effort in the Senate to free our veterans from these unnecessary fees and make their lives a little easier.”
The Free Veterans from Fees Act passed the House of Representatives earlier this Congress with bipartisan support. This legislation waives special-use permit fees for veterans’ demonstrations and special events at war memorials administered by the National Park Service in the District of Columbia.
“This legislation is simple: veterans should not have to pay fees to hold special events at memorials that are meant to honor them,” Rubio said. “Veterans sacrificed so much to serve our country, and waiving these administrative fees is the least we can do to thank them for their service.”
Veterans’ groups and Gold Star Families visit national war memorials arranged through various veterans’ organizations throughout the year. To obtain a permit for their visit, these veterans’ groups must often pay burdensome administrative fees and other processing costs related to visiting memorials.
The Free Veterans from Fees Act passed the Natural Resources Committee with unanimous consent and passed the U.S. House of Representatives during both the 115th and the 116th Congress. This legislation received bipartisan support and was endorsed by American Veterans (AMVETS), a veteran organization that represents 250,000 members nationwide.
The full text of the legislation can be found here.
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