CONGRESSMAN PAT RYAN'S BILL, THE EXPANDING HOME LOANS FOR GUARD AND RESRVISTS ACT, IS INTRODUCED IN SENATE

Congressman Pat Ryan's Bill, The Expanding Home Loans for Guard and Reservists Act, is Introduced in Senate 

Ryan’s inaugural bill passed House within 3 weeks of swearing in

Following Senator Jeanne Shaheen’s introduction in Senate, legislation is one step closer to being signed into law

WASHINGTON, D.C. –  Today, Congressman Pat Ryan announced that his inaugural bill, the Expanding Home Loans for Guard and Reservists Act, was introduced by Senator Jeanne Shaheen in the Senate, putting this crucial legislation one step closer to becoming law.  

"It is shameful that those who served this country aren’t getting the benefits they have earned,” said Representative Pat Ryan. “I’d heard from fellow service members about this gap in legislation surrounding VA Home Loans, so as soon as I was sworn in, I got right to work. I was sent here to deliver results, and I’m thankful to Senator Shaheen for bringing this bill one step closer to becoming law. As long as I am in office, I will work to ensure every person who serves our country honorably receives the benefits they have earned and deserve.”

“All those who bravely serve our country deserve access to affordable housing options,” said Senator Jeanne Shaheen. “To help alleviate the housing crisis here in New Hampshire and across the nation, I’m introducing the Expanding Home Loans for Guard and Reservists Act. This bill will address a loophole in the law and expand eligibility for VA home loans for National Guard members and Reservists, many of whom are currently denied access to these loans, by ensuring that all of their time on active service is appropriately credited. I’m thankful for Congressman Ryan’s partnership on this bill. This much-needed legislation is a crucial step to address this gap in eligibility and ensure all of our veterans and service members can afford access to housing opportunities.”

BACKGROUND

In H.R. 7105, The Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 [signed into law Jan 5, 2020, PL 116-315], Congress expanded the VA Home Loan eligibility to National Guard service members who perform “full-time National Guard duty” for at least 90 days, of which 30 are consecutive.

Since that law was enacted, Guard and Reservists have identified a gap whereby National Guard service members conducting Active Duty for training or entering into the National Guard in a longer training pipeline like Special Forces, Aviation, or linguistics are being denied VA home loans. These Guard and Reservists conduct initial entry training on a Title 10 duty status, which then gets extended, and they stay Title 10 instead of going to Title 32. 

Not having VA Home Loan eligibility is a huge disadvantage for these service members. Rep. Ryan’s bill expands eligibility for VA housing loans to the U.S. National Guard Members who have been called to active duty under Title 10 Active Duty status.

Read the full text of the “Expanding Home Loans for Guard and Reservists Act” here.

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