Expanding Home Loans for Guard and Reservists Act

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 8875) to amend title 38, United States Code, to expand eligibility of members of the National Guard for housing loans guaranteed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, as amended.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to insert extraneous material on H.R. 8875, as amended.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 8875, as amended, the Expanding Home Loans for Guard and Reservists Act.

One of the most valuable benefits veterans earn is the VA home loan benefit, which can provide them a head start in their transition to civilian life.

That is why 2 years ago we passed into law an expansion to grant National Guard members credit for the days they serve on Active Duty. However, through oversight and case work we have learned how some veterans are missing out on this benefit.

This legislation makes a technical fix, which updates the law to define eligibility by counting Active Duty for training when guard and reservists are training for things like Special Forces, Aviation, or Linguistics.

These servicemembers deserve eligibility because they are going through the same courses and training as their Active Duty counterparts, taking the same risks, and passing the very same requirements.

Guard and reservists are at a greater disadvantage because they are removed from the civilian workforce for extended periods of time. After their training is complete, they transition back to civilian life, move back home from the base where they were training, find employment, and find a place to live.

This technical fix makes sure that guard and reservists don't miss out on using a great benefit from the VA home loan guarantee service.

I thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Ryan), our newest Member, for taking up this issue and making veterans a priority. As an added bonus, this fix actually saves the Federal Government money by bringing more borrowers into the attractive low rates of the VA home loan program.

Madam Speaker, I wholeheartedly support this bill, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, again, I ask all my colleagues to join me in passing H.R. 8875, as amended, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I was unable to cast votes on the following legislative measures. If I were present for roll call votes, I would have voted Aye for the following votes:

Roll 461, September 29, 2022: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass S. 4900--SBIR and STTR Extension Act of 2022.

Roll 462, September 29, 2022: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, As Amended, H.R. 8466--Chai Suthammanont Healthy Federal Workplaces Act of 2022, as amended.

Roll 463, September 29, 2022: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass S. 3470--End Human Trafficking in Government Contracts Act of 2022.

Roll 464, September 29, 2022: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass S. 2551--AI Training Act.

Roll 465, September 29, 2022: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass S. 958--Maximizing Outcomes through Better Investments in Lifesaving Equipment for (MOBILE) Health Care Act.

Roll 466, September 29, 2022: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, As Amended, H.R. 6965--Visit America Act, as amended.

Roll 467, September 29, 2022: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, As Amended, H.R. 7321--Global Aircraft Maintenance Safety Improvement Act, as amended.

Roll 468, September 29, 2022: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, As Amended, House Amendment to S. 3662--Preventing PFAS Runoff at Airports Act.

Roll 469, September 29, 2022: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, As Amended, H.R. 8888--Food Security for All Veterans Act.

Roll 470, September 29, 2022: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass S. 2794--Supporting Families of the Fallen Act.

Roll 471, September 29, 2022: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, As Amended, H.R. 8446--Global Food Security Reauthorization Act of 2022, as amended.

Roll 472, September 29, 2022: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass H.R. 8463--Millennium Challenge Corporation Eligibility Expansion Act.

Roll 473, September 29, 2022: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass Certain Bills and Concur in the Senate Amendments on H.R. 8956, H.R. 6967, H.R. 8163, H.R. 4081, H.R. 6889, H.R. 1638, Senate Amendment to

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in reluctant support of the Expanding Home Loans for Guard and Reservists Act. Last Congress, my bill, H.R. 7445, proposed expanding VA home loan benefits to members of the National Guard who have served on Active Duty or full-time guard duty.

Congressman Ryan's bill would expand the home loan benefit to members of the National Guard that are on Federal Active Duty orders for training. Unfortunately, this policy is being rushed in an election year gimmick.

Unlike other bills we are considering today, this bill has not had the benefit of legislative hearings, and I would have liked to have heard the views of the VA and other stakeholders. A hearing would have allowed us to understand the impact this legislation could have on the mortgage markets. It would also have provided insight on the effect this bill could have on recruitment of National Guard Active Forces.

That said, I do not want to stand in the way of legislation that can help members of the National Guard, and I reluctantly urge all my colleagues to support this bill.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to section 10 of House Resolution 1396, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bills: H.R. 1638, H.R. 3304, H.R. 4081, H.R. 4821, H.R. 6889, H.R. 6967, H.R. 8163, H.R. 8510, H.R. 8681, H.R. 8875, H.R. 8956, and S. 1198, and concur in the Senate amendments to H.R. 5641.

Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.