Bipartisan Effort to Protect Veterans from Foreclosure

Strategic Insights -

In a rare display of bipartisanship, Senator Jon Ossoff from Georgia has brought together Republicans and Democrats to pass legislation aimed at protecting veterans from foreclosure. The VA Home Loan Program Reform Act, which has already passed the US House, seeks to help veterans using Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) home loans avoid foreclosure by allowing them to move missed payments to the back of their loan term. This comes after the VA shut down the Veterans Affairs Serving Purchase (VASP) Program, the only program that helped veterans facing immediate foreclosure. Senator Ossoff's efforts have been ongoing, with him holding a press conference with a Georgia Marine Corps veteran in May to urge the Trump Administration to reverse its decision to cancel the VASP program.

Key Takeaways:

  • Senator Jon Ossoff from Georgia brought together Republicans and Democrats to pass the VA Home Loan Program Reform Act, aimed at protecting veterans from foreclosure.
  • The bill allows veterans using VA home loans to move missed payments to the back of their loan term, helping them avoid immediate foreclosure.
  • The legislation comes after the VA shut down the Veterans Affairs Serving Purchase (VASP) Program, which was the only program for veterans facing immediate foreclosure.
  • Senator Ossoff held a press conference in May with a Georgia Marine Corps veteran to urge the Trump Administration to reverse its decision to cancel the VASP program.
  • The bipartisan bill has already passed the US House and heads to President Trump's desk to become law.
  • Senator Ossoff has been a vocal advocate for veterans' benefits, including introducing the Rural Veterans Transportation to Care Act with Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) in February.
  • The bill aims to help more veterans in rural areas get transportation to VA health facilities and access the health care benefits they've earned.

Statistics:

  • The VA Home Loan Program Reform Act aims to help veterans avoid foreclosure by establishing a new program to address severe financial hardship.
  • The bill would give veterans the option to move missed payments to the back of their loan term, helping them avoid immediate foreclosure.
  • The Veterans Affairs Serving Purchase (VASP) Program was the only program for veterans facing immediate foreclosure before being shut down by the VA.
  • Senator Ossoff has been a consistent advocate for veterans' benefits, holding multiple press conferences and requesting information from the VA on issues affecting Georgia veterans.
  • The Rural Veterans Transportation to Care Act was introduced by Senator Ossoff and Senator Collins in February to help more veterans in rural areas access VA health facilities.

Sources:

  • "Sen. Ossoff Brings Republicans and Democrats Together to Protect Veterans from Foreclosure" (press release, July 21, 2023) - [www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/sen-ossoff-brings-republicans-and-democrats-together-to-protect-veterans-from-foreclosure/](https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/sen-ossoff-brings-republicans-and-democrats-together-to-protect-veterans-from-foreclosure/)
  • "Senator Ossoff Requests Information from VA on Mass Firing of Personnel" (press release, June 10, 2023) - [www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/sen-ossoff-requests-information-from-va-on-mass-firing-of-personnel/](https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/sen-ossoff-requests-information-from-va-on-mass-firing-of-personnel/)
  • "Senator Ossoff and Senator Collins Introduce the Rural Veterans Transportation to Care Act" (press release, February 10, 2023) - [www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/sen-ossoff-and-senator-collins-introduce-the-rural-veterans-transportation-to-care-act/](https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/sen-ossoff-and-senator-collins-introduce-the-rural-veterans-transportation-to-care-act/)