[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 65 (Thursday, April 10, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2565-S2566]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. PADILLA (for himself, Mr. McCormick, Mr. Gallego, Mrs. 
        Britt, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Cassidy, Mr. Crapo, and Ms. Hirono):
  S. 1415. A bill to amend section 3(b)(4) of the United States Housing 
Act of 1937 to exclude certain disability benefits from income for the 
purposes of determining eligibility for the supported housing program 
under section 8(o)(19), and for other purposes; to the Committee on 
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
  Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I rise to speak in support of the 
bipartisan Housing Unhoused Disabled Veterans Act, which I introduced 
today.
  Let me begin by expressing my sincere appreciation for veterans and 
members of our Armed Forces who have answered the call of duty and 
sacrificed for our Nation. I firmly believe that those who serve our 
country with honor, courage, and distinction deserve our Nation's 
enduring gratitude. That

[[Page S2566]]

is why I have always been committed to supporting all those who have 
fought for our Nation's freedom.
  Currently, many disabled veterans are unable to access housing 
programs for veterans because of how income is defined. The more severe 
a disability is, the more disability benefits a veteran receives. Yet, 
because of the way total income has historically been determined, this 
means that veterans receiving the highest amount of disability benefits 
often cannot access the housing assistance they need.
  Congress must ensure that every veteran has access to stable housing. 
While progress has been made in reducing veteran homelessness, there is 
still more that we must do. Addressing these challenges requires a 
coordinated effort between Federal, State, and local agencies and 
strong partnerships with nonprofit veteran service organizations and 
community leaders. We must do our part to remove redtape and make it 
easier for veterans to be housed.
  I remain committed to supporting policies that expand and increase 
access to VA homelessness programs for veterans in need. I want to 
thank Senators Gallego, McCormick, and Britt for introducing this 
bipartisan bill with me, and I hope our colleagues will join us in 
supporting solutions that ensure no veteran is left without a safe 
place to call home.
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