Last week, U.S. Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., brought back the “Free Veterans from Fees Act” which he introduced in March 2019.
“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,” the congressman’s office noted. “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 legislation would properly thank our nation’s heroes by giving them the opportunity to travel to our nation’s capital on national honor buses and flights without the unnecessary paperwork and financial costs,” Steube said. “The last thing veterans and their families should worry about are burdensome administrative fees when visiting memorials and monuments erected in their honor.”
Steube rounded up more than a dozen sponsors including U.S. Reps. Kat Cammack, R-Fla., Maria Elvira Salazar, R-Fla., and Michael Waltz, R-Fla. U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, D-Wisc., is the main co-sponsor.
“Our veterans served with dignity and honor, and deserve the very best our nation has to offer,” said Kind. “Although we can never repay the debt of gratitude we owe these heroic men and women, waiving application fees for the facilitation of honor flights and honor buses is one simple way to show our appreciation for their service and sacrifice.”
“Our veterans have made the greatest sacrifice to defend our freedom,” said Salazar. “I’m proud to be an original cosponsor of the Free Veterans from Fees Act so that our men & women in uniform never have to assume burdensome costs to honor our fallen.”
There is no companion measure over in the U.S. Senate. Steube was able to get his bill through the House back in September but it has not gained much traction over in the Senate.
The bill was sent to the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee last week.
Reach Kevin Derby at kevin.derby@floridadaily.com.
