House Unanimously Passes Rothfus' Pro-Veterans Bill

Press Release

Congressman Keith Rothfus (PA-12) issued the following statement after the House unanimously passed his bipartisan bill, the Free Veterans from Fees Act (H.R. 3997). Throughout the year, veteran groups visit national war memorials to take part in honor buses and honor flights and other commemorations that require special use permit issued by the National Park Service. The Free Veterans from Fees Act would waive the application fee associated with special use permits for any veteran special event at war memorials on federal land.

"I am proud the House unanimously passed my bipartisan bill, the Free Veterans from Fees Act (H.R. 3997), and I thank Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) and Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT) for their support," said Congressman Rothfus. "Our veterans have valiantly defended our freedoms, values, and way of life. It is important that we stand in solidarity with these heroic men and women to ensure they are not required to pay to visit national war memorials built to honor their bravery and sacrifice to our nation. This bill is about continuing to cultivate a culture that values our veterans and their service, and I look forward to working with the Senate and the President to see it signed into law."

House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Rob Bishop said, "After showing a willingness to pay the ultimate price by donning the uniform, America's service men and women should not be asked to pay even more to gather at our nation's war memorials. This vote is a common-sense token of respect and gratitude."

Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard said, "Our country owes a great debt of gratitude to our troops, veterans, and their families who bear the burden of the cost of war -- those who are killed in combat, and those who come home with visible and invisible wounds of war. Our legislation, the Free Veterans from Fees Act, honors the sacrifices made by veterans and Gold Star families by waiving application fees as they pay tribute to our fallen heroes at Federal war memorials."

Read H.R. 3997 Bill text HERE.

Recently, Congressman Rothfus honored a group of Western Pennsylvania veterans who visited the national World War II Memorial and other national war memorials in Washington, D.C. Read more HERE

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