The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
Senator Katie Britt
WASHINGTON - The Senate Judiciary Committee has advanced the Guarding Unprotected Aging Retirees from Deception (GUARD) Act, a bipartisan bill led by U.S. Senator Katie Britt, marking a major step forward in the federal government's effort to crack down on financial crimes targeting older Americans. The committee also voted to advance the nomination of Thomas Govan to serve as U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama, giving the state a potential new federal prosecutor with deep experience in complex criminal cases.
The committee's actions came during an Executive Business Meeting attended by Senator Britt, who has made elder‑fraud prevention and strengthening Alabama's federal law‑enforcement infrastructure central pillars of her work in Washington.
A Growing Crisis for America's Seniors
Financial fraud against seniors has surged nationwide, with federal agencies estimating that older Americans lose billions of dollars each year to scams ranging from fake investment schemes to romance fraud, tech‑support impersonators, and international criminal networks. Alabama's aging population-one of the fastest‑growing senior demographics in the Southeast-has been hit especially hard.
Local sheriffs and district attorneys have long argued that while they see the damage firsthand, they often lack the investigative tools, data‑sharing authority, and federal coordination needed to pursue sophisticated scammers who operate across state or national borders.
The GUARD Act aims to close those gaps.
What the GUARD Act Would Do
The legislation, co‑sponsored by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D‑N.Y.), strengthens federal support for local law enforcement by:
- Expanding access to federal investigative resources
- Improving interagency coordination on elder‑fraud cases
- Enhancing penalties for large‑scale or repeat offenders
- Increasing training and technical assistance for state and local agencies
- Supporting data‑collection efforts to identify emerging scam patterns
The bill's bipartisan nature reflects a rare point of unity in Congress: protecting seniors from predatory criminals is not a partisan issue.
Britt: "Another important step toward bringing these faceless cowards to justice"
Following the committee vote, Senator Britt praised the unanimous support for her legislation and emphasized the urgency of protecting vulnerable retirees.
"I'm thrilled to see my bipartisan legislation with Senator Gillibrand advance unanimously out of committee today. This important legislation would give local law enforcement agencies the tools they need to investigate financial fraud, particularly scammers who prey on our elderly citizens. Advancing this bill today is another important step towards bringing these faceless cowards who prey on vulnerable Americans to justice."
Her comments reflect a broader theme of her work on the Judiciary Committee: strengthening public safety by empowering the people closest to the victims-local investigators, sheriffs, and prosecutors.
A Major Moment for Alabama's Federal Bench: Thomas Govan Advances
In addition to the GUARD Act, the Judiciary Committee also advanced the nomination of Thomas Govan to serve as U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama. Govan, a seasoned prosecutor with extensive experience in state and federal courts, has earned bipartisan respect for his professionalism and legal acumen.
Senator Britt, who voted to advance his nomination, highlighted both his qualifications and his deep Alabama roots.
"I am also proud to have vote[d] to advance the nomination of one of Alabama's very own, Thomas Govan. His expertise, professionalism, and deep knowledge of the legal system provide him with an incredible foundation on which to serve the Middle District of Alabama. I applaud President Trump's nomination and am eager to see him confirmed soon."
If confirmed by the full Senate, Govan would oversee federal prosecutions across a broad swath of the state, including cases involving public corruption, violent crime, drug trafficking, cybercrime, and financial fraud-the very types of offenses the GUARD Act seeks to combat.
Why These Two Actions Matter Together
The Judiciary Committee's dual votes-advancing both the GUARD Act and Govan's nomination-represent a coordinated strengthening of Alabama's legal and enforcement framework.
- The GUARD Act gives local agencies more tools to investigate and prosecute elder‑fraud cases.
- A new U.S. Attorney ensures the Middle District has strong leadership to pursue complex federal crimes, including multi‑state fraud schemes.
For Alabama families, especially those caring for aging parents or grandparents, the combination could mean faster investigations, more prosecutions, and better protection against the scams that have devastated households across the state.
Next Steps: Full Senate Consideration
The GUARD Act now awaits a vote on the Senate floor. Given its bipartisan support in committee, the bill is expected to draw broad backing when it reaches the full chamber.
Govan's nomination will also move to the Senate floor, where confirmation would place him at the helm of one of Alabama's most important federal law‑enforcement offices.
A Broader Legislative Pattern
Senator Britt's work on the GUARD Act fits into a larger portfolio of bipartisan efforts aimed at protecting vulnerable populations, strengthening law enforcement, and modernizing federal responses to emerging criminal threats. Her focus on elder fraud resonates strongly in Alabama, where many retirees live on fixed incomes and are disproportionately targeted by scammers.
A Win for Alabama's Seniors and Its Justice System
With the GUARD Act advancing and Thomas Govan's nomination moving forward, Alabama stands at the threshold of significant improvements in how financial crimes against seniors are investigated and prosecuted. Senator Britt's leadership on both fronts underscores her commitment to safeguarding Alabama families and ensuring the state has strong, capable federal partners in the fight against fraud.
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