Veterans groups attending commemorations on federal property would have their special permit application fees waived under a bill introduced by U.S. Rep. Keith Rothfus.
Rothfus’ Free Veterans from Fees Act (HR 3997) passed the House on Wednesday and has been assigned to the Senate’s Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
The bill would waive the application fee for demonstrations and special events at war memorials. Those events usually require special permits from the National Park Service that can cost $120 for public gatherings and special events and $90 for special use permits for the National Mall.
In a joint statement, Rothfus, R-12, Sewickley, said he was proud that the House unanimously passed the bill, introduced in October, and he thanked U.S. Reps. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, and Rob Bishop, R-Utah, for their co-sponsoring support.
“Our veterans have valiantly defended our freedoms, values and way of life,” Rothfus said. “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.”
Gabbard, an Army veteran who served in Iraq, said the legislation “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.”