[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 103 (Monday, August 1, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 1, 1994]


 
                  VETERANS' HOUSING AMENDMENTS OF 1994

  Mr. MONTGOMERY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 4724) to amend title 38, United State Code, relating to 
veterans housing programs, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 4724

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. ELIGIBILITY.

       (a) Reservists Discharged Because of a Service-Connected 
     Disability.--Section 3701(b)(5)(A) of title 38, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``(i)'' before ``who has''; and
       (2) by striking out the period at the end thereof and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``, or (ii) who was discharged or 
     released from the Selected Reserve before completing 6 years 
     of service because of a service-connected disability.''.
       (b) Surviving Spouses of Reservists Who Died While in 
     Active Military, Naval, or Air Service.--The second sentence 
     of section 3701(b)(2) of such title is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``or service in the Selected Reserve'' 
     after ``duty'' each place it appears; and
       (2) by striking out ``spouse shall'' and inserting in lieu 
     thereof ``deceased spouse shall''.

     SEC. 2. PUBLIC AND COMMUNITY WATER AND SEWERAGE SYSTEMS.

       Section 3704 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by striking out subsection (e); and
       (2) by redesignating subsections (f) and (g) as subsections 
     (e) and (f), respectively.

     SEC. 3. REFINANCING LOANS.

       (a) Authority To Guarantee Home Refinance Loans for Energy 
     Efficiency Improvements.--
       (1) Loans.--(A) Section 3710(a) of title 38, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding after paragraph (10) the 
     following:
       ``(11) To refinance in accordance with subsection (e) of 
     this section an existing loan guaranteed, insured, or made 
     under this chapter, and to improve the dwelling securing such 
     loan through energy efficiency improvements, as provided in 
     subsection (d) of this section.''.
       (B) Section 3710(e)(1) of such title is amended by 
     inserting ``or subsection (a)(11)'' after ``subsection 
     (a)(8)''.
       (2) Fee.--Section 3729(a)(2)(E) of such title is amended by 
     inserting ``3710(a)(11),'' after ``3710(a)(9)(B)(i),''.
       (b) Refinancing Adjustable Rate Mortgages to Fixed Rate 
     Mortgages.--Section 3710(e)(1)(A) of such title is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``(i)'' after ``(A);
       (2) by inserting ``or'' at the end of clause (i), as 
     designated by paragraph (1) of this subsection; and
       (3) by adding after such clause (i), the following:
       ``(ii) the loan bears interest at a fixed rate that is 
     agreed upon by the veteran and the mortgagee, and the loan 
     being refinanced is an adjustable rate loan.''.

     SEC. 4. MANUFACTURED HOME LOAN INSPECTIONS.

       (a) Certification of Conformity With Standards.--Section 
     3712(h) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by 
     amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
       ``(2) Any manufactured housing unit properly displaying a 
     certification of conformity to all applicable Federal 
     manufactured home construction and safety standards pursuant 
     to section 616 of the National Manufactured Housing 
     Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 
     5415) shall be deemed to meet the standards required by 
     paragraph (1) of this subsection.''.
       (b) Repeal of Inspection Requirements.--Section 3712(j) of 
     such title is amended--
       (1) by striking out ``refuses to permit the inspections 
     provided for in subsection (h) of this section; or in the 
     case of manufactured homes which are determined by the 
     Secretary not to conform to the aforesaid standards; or where 
     the manufacturer of manufactured homes''; and
       (2) by striking ``warranty.'' and inserting in lieu thereof 
     ``warranty; in the case of manufactured homes which are 
     determined by the Secretary not to conform to the standards 
     provided for in subsection (h) of this section; or in the 
     case of a manufacturer who has engaged in procedures or 
     practices determined by the Secretary to be unfair or 
     prejudicial to veterans or the Government.''.
       (c) Elimination of Reporting Requirement.--Section 3712(l) 
     of such title is amended--
       (1) by striking out ``the results of inspections required 
     by subsection (h) of this section,''; and
       (2) by striking out ``section, and'' and inserting in lieu 
     thereof ``section and''.

     SEC. 5. PROCEDURES ON DEFAULT.

       (a) In General.--Paragraph (7) of section 3732(c) of title 
     38, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by striking out ``that was the minimum amount for 
     which, under applicable State law, the property was permitted 
     to be sold at the liquidation sale'' in the matter preceding 
     subparagraph (A);
       (2) by striking out ``the Secretary may accept conveyance 
     of the property to the United States for a price not 
     exceeding'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``(i) the amount 
     was the minimum amount for which, under applicable State law, 
     the property was permitted to be sold at the liquidation 
     sale, the holder shall have the option to convey the property 
     to the United States in return for payment by the Secretary 
     of an amount equal to'';
       (3) by striking out ``and'' at the end of clause (i), as so 
     designated by paragraph (2), and inserting in lieu thereof 
     ``or'';
       (4) by adding after such clause (i) the following:
       ``(ii) there was no minimum amount for which the property 
     had to be sold at the liquidation sale under applicable State 
     law, the holder shall have the option to convey the property 
     to the United States in return for payment by the Secretary 
     of an amount equal to the lesser of such net value or total 
     indebtedness; and''; and
       (5) in subparagraph (B), by striking out ``paragraph 
     (6)(B)'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``paragraph (6)''.
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--Paragraph (6) of such section is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking out ``either''; and
       (2) by striking out ``sale or acquires'' and all that 
     follows through ``(B) the'' and inserting in lieu thereof 
     ``sale, the''.

     SEC. 6. MINIMUM ACTIVE-DUTY SERVICE REQUIREMENT.

       Section 5303A(b)(3) of title 38, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking out ``or'' at the end of subparagraph (E);
       (2) by striking out the period at the end of subparagraph 
     (F) and inserting in lieu thereof ``; or''; and
       (3) by inserting after subparagraph (F) the following:
       ``(G) to benefits under chapter 37 of this title by reason 
     of discharge or release from active duty as a result of a 
     reduction in force, as determined by the Secretary of the 
     military department concerned in accordance with regulations 
     prescribed by the Secretary of Defense or by the Secretary of 
     Transportation with respect to the Coast Guard when it is not 
     operating as a service in the Navy.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Mississippi [Mr. Montgomery] will be recognized for 20 minutes, and the 
gentleman from Arizona [Mr. Stump] will be recognized for 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Mississippi [Mr. Montgomery].
  Mr. MONTGOMERY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Before yielding to the distinguished gentleman from Illinois [Mr. 
Sang- meister], chairman of the Subcommittee on Housing and Memorial 
Affairs, to explain the bill, Mr. Speaker, I wanted to say how much we 
will miss him when he leaves the Congress at the end of this session. 
The committee will be losing one of our outstanding Members, and 
veterans will be losing one of their greatest supporters.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman 
from Illinois [Mr. Sangmeister].
  (Mr. SANGMEISTER asked and was given permission to revise and extend 
his remarks.)
  Mr. SANGMEISTER. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank and commend the 
gentleman from Mississippi [Mr. Montgomery], the chairman of the full 
committee, for his distinguished leadership and his strong support of 
this measure. I would also like to thank the gentleman from Arizona 
[Mr. Stump] and the gentleman from Indiana [Mr. Burton], the ranking 
minority members of the full committee and the subcommittee, for their 
efforts and support. The individual members of the subcommittee worked 
hard as a team to develop this legislation, and I would like to thank 
each of them for their excellent contributions. A detailed explanation 
of the bill follows:


   loan guaranty eligibility for reservists discharged because of a 
                      service-connected disability

  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4724 would waive the 6-year minimum service 
requirement for reservists discharged because of a service-connected 
disability. Loan guaranty eligibility is currently authorized for 
veterans who are discharged from active duty for a service-connected 
disability. This provision grants similar eligibility for reservists.
  Public Law 102-547 added a new section 3702(a)(2)(E) to title 38, 
United States Code, and thereby extended loan guaranty eligibility to 
veterans whose only service was in the Reserves or National Guard. The 
definition of veteran in 38 U.S.C. 3701(b) now includes an individual 
who has completed total service of at least 6 years in the Selected 
Reserve and, following the completion of such service, received an 
honorable discharge, was transferred to the Standby or Ready Reserve, 
or continues to serve in the Selected Reserve. 38 U.S.C. 3702(a)(2)(B) 
provides loan guaranty eligibility for veterans who are discharged from 
active duty for a service-connected disability. As I stated previously, 
there is no similar provision provided for reservists who are 
discharged because of a service-connected disability prior to 
completing the required 6 years of reservist service.
  H.R. 4724 would correct this disparity in loan guaranty benefits 
eligibility between active duty veterans discharged because of service-
connected disabilities and reservists discharged because of service-
connected disabilities. This would be accomplished by amending 38 
U.S.C. 3701(a) to extend eligibility for VA loan guaranty benefits to 
individuals discharged from the Selected Reserve prior to completion of 
6 years' service because of a service-connected disability.


loan guaranty eligibility for surviving spouses of reservists who died 
      while on active duty or from service-connected disabilities

  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4724 would provide loan guaranty eligibility for 
surviving spouses of reservists who died on active military, naval or 
air service on the same basis as a surviving spouse of any veteran who 
died in the active military, naval or air service or who died of a 
service-connected disability.
  The definition of veteran in 38 U.S.C. 3701(b) includes the surviving 
spouse of any veteran who died in the active military, naval, or air 
service or who died from a service-connected disability. There is no 
similar provision provided for surviving spouses of reservists who die 
while on reserve duty or as a result of a service-connected disability.
  H.R. 4724 would correct this disparity in loan guaranty benefits 
eligibility between surviving spouses of active duty veterans and 
surviving spouses of reservists. This would be accomplished by amending 
38 U.S.C. 3701(a) to extend eligibility for VA loan guaranty benefits 
to surviving spouses of reservists who die while on reserve duty or as 
a result of service-connected disabilities.


  repeal of requirement for a statement of local officials regarding 
                       water and sewerage systems

  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4724 would permit the VA to guarantee newly 
constructed residences in areas not served by public or community waste 
and sewerage systems if individual water and sewage disposal systems 
meet Federal, State, and local requirements.
  Currently, 38 U.S.C. 3704(e) prohibits VA from guaranteeing a loan 
for a newly constructed residence in areas were local officials certify 
that the establishment of public or community water and sewerage 
systems is economically feasible unless the dwelling is served by such 
a system. If a new property uses well water or septic tank, and the 
local officials certify a public system is feasible, VA may not approve 
the loan.
  H.R. 4724 would repeal 38 U.S.C. 3704(e). Since the enactment of this 
subsection in 1965, conditions have changed significantly. Federal, 
State, and local laws now adequately cover the subject of individual 
water and sewage disposal systems as an alternative to public and 
community systems. This is also an area in which the Environmental 
Protection Agency, which did not exist in 1965, has some authority.
  For the most part, the certification requirement is a paperwork 
exercise. The statute places a burden on local community officials, 
program participants, and VA without materially benefiting the veteran.


authority to guarantee energy efficiency improvements in interest rate 
                      reduction refinancing loans

  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4724 would authorize the VA to include in interest 
rate reduction refinancing loans an additional amount for energy 
efficiency improvements.
  Public Law 102-547 amended 38 U.S.C. 3710 to authorize the VA to 
include the cost of energy efficiency improvements in VA loans up to 
$6,000. As of June 1994, 915 loans have been guaranteed under this 
program. Energy improvement costs may not be included, however in 
interest rate reduction refinancing loans. Such interest rate reduction 
loans typically do not involve an income verification or property 
appraisal because the effect is to reduce the veteran's payments under 
an existing loan. Hundreds of thousands of veterans have refinanced 
their VA-guaranteed loans during the past 2 years in order to reduce 
their interest rates, but were unable to take advantage of the energy 
efficiency program.
  H.R. 4724 would permit the cost of energy efficiency improvements to 
be included in a loan refinanced for the purpose of reducing the 
interest rate. While the committee recognizes that adding the cost of 
energy improvements may increase the amount of the loan in relation to 
the value of the property, it believes that any increased risk from an 
increase in the loan-to-value ration would be slight and would be 
offset to a significant degree by the reduced payments resulting from 
lower interest rates.
  The bill would add an exception for the cost of energy efficiency 
improvements to the maximum amount that can be borrowed in a loan 
refinance as now provided in 38 U.S.C. 3710(e)(1)(C).


  loans to refinance adjustable rate mortgages to fixed rate mortgages

  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4724 would permit the conversion of an adjustable 
rate mortgage to a fixed rate mortgage despite the higher interest rate 
on the fixed rate mortgage.
  Under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. 3710(a)(8), VA guarantees loans to 
assist veterans in reducing their mortgage interest rates. These loans, 
referred to as interest rate reduction refinancing loans, are made with 
no additional charge against the veteran's entitlement, with the 
primary requirement being that the interest rate on the new loan must 
be less than the interest rate on the loan being refinanced.
  A difficulty has arisen in applying this authority to cases involving 
veterans who are attempting to refinance adjustable rate mortgages with 
fixed rate mortgages. It often occurs that the current interest rate on 
the adjustable rate mortgage is less than the rate on the fixed rate 
mortgage. During periods of low-interest rates, it would be beneficial 
over the long term for the veteran to refinance to a fixed rate loan, 
even though the short-term cost may be higher. Current law prevents the 
veteran from obtaining an interest rate reduction refinancing loan for 
this purpose.

  H.R. 4724 would correct this inequity by permitting veterans to 
obtain interest rate reduction loans to convert from an adjustable rate 
mortgage to a fixed rate mortgage whenever the veteran considers it 
advantageous to do so. These loans would continue to be made under the 
provisions of 38 U.S.C. 3710(e) which limit the new loan amount to the 
outstanding balance of the loan to be refinanced plus closing costs and 
a discount.


     repeal of certain requirements pertaining to va loan guaranty 
            manufactured purchases with a va guaranteed loan

  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4724 would provide that any manufactured home 
properly displaying a certificate of conformity with all applicable 
Federal manufactured home construction and safety standards would be 
eligible for purchase with VA financing.
  Currently 38 U.S.C. 3712(h)(2) requires VA to make inspections of the 
manufacturing process of manufactured homes and to perform random on-
site inspections of manufactured homes purchased with a VA guaranty. 
The purpose of the inspections of manufacturing plants is to comply 
with 38 U.S.C. 3712(h)(1) which states that no loan for the purchase of 
a manufactured home may be guaranteed by VA unless the manufactured 
home meets or exceeds the standards for planning, construction, and 
general acceptability prescribed by the Secretary. The on-site 
inspections were mainly required to judge the effectiveness of the 
manufactured home loan program. It should be noted, however, that in 
1994 only 25 manufactured home loans had been guaranteed as of June.
  The bill would amend 38 U.S.C. 3712(h) to provide that any 
manufactured home bearing a seal pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 5415, indicating 
that it was built in compliance with Federal manufactured home 
construction and safety standards established by the Department of 
Housing and Urban Development [HUD], may be purchased with a VA 
guaranteed loan. The reported bill would also repeal 38 U.S.C. 
3712(h)(2) and 3712(1), which requires an annual report to Congress on 
the results of these inspections and compliance with HUD warranty 
requirements.
  It should also be noted that in carrying out the purposes of 38 
U.S.C. 3712(h), VA has administratively adopted the safety and 
manufacturing standards issued by the Secretary of Housing and Urban 
Development pursuant to the National Manufactured Housing Construction 
and Safety Standards Act of 1974, 42 U.S.C. 5401-5426. In compliance 
with 38 U.S.C. 3712(h)(2)(B), VA has delegated to HUD the 
responsibility for inspection of manufactured home plants.
  Mr. Speaker, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs, HUD 
inspections are sufficient to insure that new manufactured homes sold 
to veterans are properly built, and no loans for the purchase of a 
manufactured home bears a seal indicating it was manufactured in 
accordance with HUD standards. VA therefore contends that the on-site 
inspections are necessary, and any inspections by VA of manufactured 
home processing would be duplicative of the HUD inspections. The 
inspections required by subsection (h) are reported to Congress by HUD. 
The experience with compliance with the subsection 3712(i) warranty is 
a matter which should be reported to HUD by the unit owner in 
accordance with instructions in the owners manual which manufacturers 
are required to provide with each unit.


    permit va to accept foreclosed property notwithstanding overbid

  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4724 would permit the VA to accept conveyance of a 
foreclosed property from a loan holder not withstanding the holder's 
overbid at the liquidation sale.
  Under 38 U.S.C. 3732(c), when a VA guaranteed loan is in default, VA 
must compute the net value of the security property. ``Net value'' 
means the fair market value of the property, less the amounts VA would 
need to pay for holding and disposing of the property. If the net value 
of the property exceeds the total indebtedness minus the amount of VA's 
guaranty, the holder generally has the election of conveying the 
property to VA if the holder acquired the property at the foreclosure 
sale for the lesser of the net value of the property or the total 
indebtedness. The lesser of net value or total debt is often referred 
to as the specified amount or upset price.
  The VA makes all of these calculations and notifies the holder of the 
specified amount in advance of the foreclosure sale. If the holder's 
bid exceeds the specified amount, even by $1, the VA may not acquire 
the property from the foreclosing loan holder under 38 U.S.C. 
3732(c)(6). The reported bill would permit VA to acquire a property at 
the specified amount, whenever VA specifies an amount, without regard 
to any overbid by the loan holder.
  Overbids often result from miscommunication among VA, the loan 
holder, and its counsel. When VA specifies an amount, VA has determined 
it is economically advantageous to the Government to acquire the 
property. Under the provisions of this bill, for property acquisition 
purposes only, VA cold ignore the overbid and acquire the property for 
the same terms as though the overbid did not occur.


amendment of minimum active-duty service requirement for loan guaranty 
                                benefits

  Lastly, Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4724 would waive the 2-year minimum service 
requirement for loan guaranty benefits for servicemembers who were 
released from active duty due to a reduction in force.
  To be eligible for loan guaranty benefits based on active duty, an 
individual must qualify under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. 3702, which 
generally requires 90 days service in time of war 180 days of peacetime 
service. In addition, 38 U.S.C. 5303A requires that, for persons who 
enlisted after September 7, 1980, or officers who entered active duty 
after October 16, 1981, the individual generally must complete the 
shorter of 24 months of continuous active duty or the full period for 
which called or ordered to active duty. The exceptions are for persons 
discharged or released for a disability, or for a hardship under 10 
U.S.C. 1173, or for the convenience of the Government under section 10 
U.S.C. 1171.
  The minimum active-duty service requirements of 38 U.S.C. 5303A were 
added to the law at a time when the Armed Forces were having a great 
deal of difficulty in recruiting and retaining a sufficient number of 
qualified personnel. However, the Defense Department has begun a 
multiyear drawdown in the number of Armed Forces personnel, which has 
had the effect of veterans being honorably discharged prior to 
completion of either 24 months or the full period for which called. In 
these cases, the affected veterans are being discharged before they 
become eligible for loan guaranty benefits under current law.
  In light of current Department of Defense programs offering 
incentives to persons who agree to leave the Armed Forces early, it 
would be appropriate to update the provisions of 38 U.S.C. 5303A. 
Equitable considerations would dictate that veterans discharged early 
as a result of downsizing should not forfeit the loan guaranty 
eligibility to which they would have become entitled had they been 
allowed to complete their contract. Present law also involves the 
administrative burden of determining whether or not a discharge for the 
convenience of the Government was in fact issued under the authority of 
10 U.S.C. 1171. The DD Form 214 issued to the veteran in these cases is 
frequently silent on this issue.
  H.R. 4724 would amend 38 U.S.C. 5303A to clarify that the exception 
to the minimum service requirement for loan guaranty benefits is 
available to persons who failed to meet the 24-month minimum active-
duty service requirements because of a reduction in force.
  Mr. Speaker, this bill, at very little cost to the Government would 
extend VA no-downpayment loan eligibility to hundreds of veterans and 
their dependents who have never before been entitled. The Congressional 
Budget Office estimates that the bill would affect direct spending by 
less than $500,000 a year.
  I think this is a good bill, and I strongly urge its favorable 
consideration by the House.

                              {time}  1220

  Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  (Mr. STUMP asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I, too, would like to thank the gentleman 
from Illinois [Mr. Sangmeister]. He has been a pleasure to work with, 
and from this side of the aisle we want him to know we wish him the 
very best in his retirement, and we thank him for his hard work on 
behalf of the veterans.
  Mr. Speaker, I support H.R. 4724, a bill to enhance veterans' housing 
programs. The bill would extend home loan guaranty benefits to members 
of the Selected Reserves, eliminate redundant and outdated VA reporting 
requirements, and permit inclusion of energy efficiency improvements in 
an interest rate reduction refinancing loan.
  The bill also gives the VA the authority to correct bidding errors 
due to a miscommunication at the foreclosure sale.
  In whole, these provisions improve the Home Loan Guaranty Program and 
make sound business sense.
  Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank my good friend, Sonny Montgomery, 
chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, for his consideration of 
this matter.
  In addition, I wish to recognize the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. 
Sangmeister], chairman of the Subcommittee on Housing and Memorial 
Affairs, and the gentleman from Indiana [Mr. Burton], the 
subcommittee's ranking member for their leadership on this measure.
  Mr. Speaker, I recommend that the bill be passed.
  Mr. MONTGOMERY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 30 seconds.
  Mr. Speaker, I also want to thank the ranking minority member, the 
gentleman from Indiana [Mr. Burton], for his work on this subcommittee, 
and I am grateful also to the gentleman from Arizona [Mr. Stump] for 
his cooperation on the bill.
  Mr. Speaker, this really makes it easier for veterans, as well as 
Reservists, to get home loans. That is what it is all about, to help 
these veterans and help these Reservists.
  Mr. Speaker, it has been a pleasure working with the members of the 
committee, and I hope all the Members will support this legislation.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in support of H.R. 
4724, the veterans housing amendments of 1994.
  I would like to commend the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Sangmeister] 
for introducing this measure. Furthermore, I praise the chairman of the 
Veterans Committee, the gentleman from Mississippi [Mr. Montgomery], 
and the ranking minority member, the gentleman from Arizona [Mr. Stump] 
for their continuing work on behalf of our Nation's veterans.
  H.R. 4724 exempts Reservists with service-related disabilities from 
the 6-year service requirement for housing loans, extends loan 
guarantee assistance to the surviving spouses of Reservists who died on 
duty or from service-related disabilities, broadens the criteria for 
houses to receive VA loans, and enables those service members who have 
been released from active duty due to force cutbacks to bypass the 2-
year service requirement for loan guaranty benefits.
  Mr. Speaker, these crucial amendments express the support and 
appreciation that the American people have for our Nation's servicemen 
and women by making housing loans more accessible, and by recognizing 
the sacrifices made by disabled veterans, we are providing quality, 
affordable housing to our servicemen and women and their families, who 
have given so much to our great Nation.
  Furthermore, the loan requirement exemptions for those Reservists who 
have been released from active duty due to a reduction in force, or 
have sustained a service-connected disability, enhance the equity of 
our Veterans Housing Program, and compensate those whose sacrifices 
have been unusually great.
  Mr. Speaker, as our Nation's veterans continue to suffer poverty and 
homelessness, it is important that the Congress takes steps to relieve 
their suffering. H.R. 4724 is an essential part of this process, making 
good housing accessible to thousands of veterans. Mr. Speaker, our 
Nation's veterans have given so much to our Nation through the years, 
we must continue to recognize their valiant service and provide them 
with the benefits and the services they have earned.
  Accordingly, I support this measure, and I urge my colleagues to also 
vote in support of this important legislation.
  Mr. MONTGOMERY. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I have no requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Frank of Massachusetts). The question is 
on the motion offered by the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. 
Montgomery] that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 
4724.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________