Provides for Predictable VA Health Care Funding and Homebuyer Incentives

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada’s Third District voted today in support of two key measures to help Nevada’s veterans and service members.  The House passed legislation Titus cosponsored to ensure sufficient, timely, and predictable veterans funding and to help service members take full advantage of homebuyer incentives.

“It is our duty as elected officials to uphold our solemn promise to care for our men and women in uniform when they return home,” Congresswoman Titus said.  “Our efforts today will ensure the VA can provide high quality medical care for our veterans by providing advanced time to plan and budget for their growing needs.”

H.R. 1016, the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act, authorizes Congress to approve investments in Department of Veterans Affairs medical care one year in advance, and requires the President to request those funds one year in advance.  It will enable the VA to know exactly how much funding it will have, allowing them to plan and provide the best care for veterans.  Endorsed by veterans’ service organizations (VSO) including the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, AMVETS, and Disabled American Veterans as “an historic legislative victory on behalf of all veterans,” this legislation is a top priority for this Congress and VSOs.

“In their effort to bravely perform their duty in service to our country, our servicemen and women face a number of challenges on the home front,” Congresswoman Titus added.  “By making changes to provisions in the Recovery Act, we will address the housing needs of military personnel by extending an important tax credit for first-time homebuyers and providing assistance for those forced to sell their home in this difficult housing market.”

H.R. 3590, the Service Members Home Ownership Tax Act, would extend the deadline to take advantage of the first-time homebuyer tax credit for one year so that certain service members stationed overseas can take advantage of the credit when they return home.  It also ensures that service members will not have to repay the credit if they are ordered to deploy to a different location, and, as a result, are forced to sell their home within three years of buying it.  Finally, the bill will help military personnel who are selling a home that has declined in value as a result of a base closure or realignment by making payments they receive under the Homeowner’s Assistance Program tax exempt.

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Tags: housing, veterans