WASHINGTON – Congressman Vern Buchanan today announced that two of his legislation initiatives, one to crack down on scams against seniors and another to combat surging opioid overdoses, have been signed into law as part of a sweeping government funding package. These mark Buchanan’s 25th and 26th legislative initiatives to become law.
Buchanan has had four initiatives signed by President Bush, six by President Obama and 13 by President Trump. He has also seen three legislative proposals signed into law by President Biden so far this Congress.
One of the Congressman’s proposals signed into law this weekend is the Seniors Fraud Prevention Act, which aims to prevent common scams against seniors, such as sweepstakes and charity cons, as well as fraudulent investment plans and internet fraud. The bill creates a special advisory office within the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Affairs charged with alerting consumers of new scams. Congressman Buchanan has been working to pass this legislation with Congressman Ted Deutch (D-Fla.) since 2013.
“Scams targeting the elderly threaten more than just retirement accounts – they imperil the independence and trust of an already vulnerable population,” said Buchanan. “For nearly nine years, my colleague Congressman Deutch and I have been fighting to protect seniors and help them avoid scams and fraud. I’m pleased to finally get the Seniors Fraud Prevention Act signed into law and safeguard the savings and dignity of Americans as they enter their golden years against those who try to defraud them.”
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, scams targeting seniors cost more than $3 billion annually. Seniors are also less likely to report fraud because they don’t know how or are ashamed of falling for the scam.
Congressman Deutch said, “I am proud to see our nation taking important action to protect seniors, who are too often targeted by scammers trying to confuse them and cheat them of their assets. With Congress’ passage of this omnibus bill, and with the President’s signature, we are finally taking steps toward a robust federal effort to strengthen important consumer protections; to track, target, and warn seniors against these fraudulent schemes; and to ensure that seniors can live their life in peace and dignity, safer from this threat.".
The AARP, which has endorsed the bill, praised Buchanan’s efforts saying, “On behalf of our 38 million members and all older Americans nationwide, I want to express our gratitude for your longstanding leadership to combat fraud and financial exploitation via your bipartisan legislation, the Seniors Fraud Prevention Act… Your legislation will be instrumental in improving coordination between law enforcement agencies to protect seniors from fraud and scams.”
Buchanan also secured an additional $2 million to increase grants to prevent prescription drug and opioid overdoses. The Congressman’s proposal was initially introduced as an amendment to a House-passed appropriations package last July and passed with broad bipartisan support.
“The number of overdose deaths across the U.S. due to illegal fentanyl-related substance and other harmful opioids is tragic and alarming,” said Buchanan. “These drugs are destroying lives and families, not only in our backyard here in Southwest Florida, but across the country. We need to do everything we can to help address this growing epidemic”
Buchanan has long championed efforts to combat the drug epidemic including introducing the FIGHT Fentanyl Act to permanently classify fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs. The FIGHT Fentanyl Act has been endorsed by Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells, Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt Hoffman and Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister.
In 2019, Buchanan’s Fentanyl Sanctions Act was signed into law as part of the National Defense Authorization Act. It imposed economic penalties on China-based drug manufacturers that knowingly send synthetic opioids to drug traffickers and criminal operations.
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