Washington, D.C. – The National Association for Veterans Rights (NAVR) commends Governor Bill Lee for his leadership in signing the Safeguarding American Veteran Empowerment (SAVE) Act into law, an important step that protects the rights of Tennessee’s Veterans while preserving their freedom to choose how they navigate the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits system.
NAVR President and former Acting Secretary and Chief of Staff of the VA, the Honorable Peter O’Rourke, testified multiple times before Tennessee lawmakers in support of the legislation. A U.S. Veteran with deep roots in the state, O’Rourke praised Tennessee’s commitment to empowering Veterans through ethical, transparent, and accessible assistance.
“The SAVE Act delivers meaningful protections while honoring the right of every Veteran to decide how they pursue the benefits they’ve earned,” said O’Rourke. “We appreciate Governor Lee’s decisive action and the General Assembly’s thoughtful consideration of this legislation.”
The SAVE Act prohibits upfront charges, caps fees, bans deceptive solicitations, and establishes strong penalties for fraudulent activity, all while preserving access to reputable, professional claims assistance. These safeguards align with NAVR’s mission to ensure Veterans receive the support they need without sacrificing autonomy or choice.
Tennessee joins a growing number of states embracing this balanced approach, including Louisiana and South Dakota, where similar legislation has already been enacted. The momentum behind these state-led reforms reflects a broader national effort to bring clarity, accountability, and fairness to the VA claims process.
“As more states move to protect Veterans’ rights while preserving their ability to seek trusted help, the SAVE Act stands as a strong example of principled leadership,” O’Rourke added. “We look forward to working with lawmakers nationwide to build on this important progress.”
About NAVR:
The National Association for Veterans Rights (NAVR) is a national trade association committed to promoting ethical and transparent business practices among companies engaging with the service-disabled Veteran community. NAVR advocates for businesses that empower Veterans with professional and transparent solutions while advancing support for Veteran-owned businesses.
For more information, contact press@navr.org.
