[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 157 (Wednesday, September 28, 2022)]
[House]
[Page H8184]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           EXPANDING HOME LOANS FOR GUARD AND RESERVISTS ACT

  Mr. TAKANO. 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.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 8875

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Expanding Home Loans for 
     Guard and Reservists Act''.

     SEC. 2. EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY OF MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL 
                   GUARD FOR HOUSING LOANS GUARANTEED BY THE 
                   SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

       Section 3701(b)(7) of title 38, United States Code, is 
     amended by striking ``full-time National Guard duty'' and 
     inserting ``active service''.

     SEC. 3. DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS.

       The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of 
     complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall 
     be determined by reference to the latest statement titled 
     ``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation'' for this Act, 
     submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the 
     Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such 
     statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Takano) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Bost) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.


                             General Leave

  Mr. TAKANO. 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.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. TAKANO. 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.
  Mr. BOST. 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. TAKANO. 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.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Takano) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 8875, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. ROY. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.

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