With Honor Action Sends Letter on VALID Act Inclusion in the ROAD to Housing Act

Posted on by Abigail Trotter

On March 27, 2026, With Honor Action, along with Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals, The American Legion, Blue Star Families, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, and National Association of Mortgage Brokers, sent a letter to Senator Tim Scott, Chair, Senator Elizabeth Warren, Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and Representative French Hill, Chair, and Representative Maxine Waters, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Financial Services on giving special consideration to the VA Loan Informed Disclosure (VALID) Act, H.R. 3694 / S.1932, which was included as Sec. 602 of the ROAD to Housing Act, and ensure it remains – in its entirety – in any final housing bill negotiations.

Dear Chairman Scott, Ranking Member Warren, Chairman Hill, and Ranking Member Waters,

We thank you for your thoughtful consideration as you’ve worked on your respective housing bills. We believe that the American people are best served by bipartisan, common-sense solutions, and we appreciate the way you have crossed the aisle to craft these bills to ensure Americans’ access to affordable housing.

As each Chamber works to resolve the differences between your respective bills, we ask that you give special consideration to the VA Loan Informed Disclosure (VALID) Act, H.R. 3694 / S.1932, which was included as Sec. 602 of the ROAD to Housing Act, and ensure it remains – in its entirety – in any final housing bill negotiations.

The Informed Consumer Choice Disclosure, which applies to FHA mortgages and conventional loans, does not require mortgage lenders to disclose the VA loan rate to eligible borrowers. The VALID Act solves this problem by requiring a side-by-side comparison of conventional, FHA, and VA home loans, enabling borrowers to fully understand their options and the resources available to them. It also ensures that the military service question on the Uniform Residential Loan Application form is required, so borrowers understand their available benefits from the start.

In 2024, more than 58,000 eligible VA borrowers did not utilize the VA home loan benefit, representing billions of dollars in potential homeownership opportunities that went unrealized. Today, only 10-15% of eligible veterans are using this benefit. Many service members and veterans are unaware of VA home loan options, and are often steered towards conventional mortgages due to incomplete information on their options. Billions of dollars are being left on the table, and veterans and service members remain unaware of this critical benefit that they have rightfully earned through their service.

For veterans and service members, the ability to purchase a home is more than just securing a roof over their heads; it is the cornerstone of the American Dream they swore an oath to protect. Homeownership provides a stable foundation that allows military families to build equity and achieve long-term financial security after years of transient service. By lowering barriers to entry and streamlining the VA loan process, Congress isn’t just facilitating a transaction—they are empowering veterans to establish generational wealth that will support their children and grandchildren for decades to come.

We appreciate the Committees’ bipartisan leadership and encourage you to include the VALID Act language in its entirety in any conferenced final bill text. Thank you for your time and consideration.

With Honor Action Submits Statement for the Record Supporting Veterans Legislation

Posted on by Brian Le

On Wednesday, January 28, 2026, With Honor Action submitted a Statement for the Record for a legislative hearing in support of H.R. 4105, Veterans Energy Transition (VET) Act of 2025 , and H.R. 2878, Daniel J. Harvey, Jr. and Adam Lambert Improving Servicemember Transition to Reduce Veteran Suicide Act.

The Veterans Energy Transition (VET) Act of 2025

Led by For Country Caucus members Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA), a Navy veteran, and Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), an Air Force veteran, this legislation would expand the pipeline of skilled workers by enabling veterans, separating service members, and military spouses to transition into critical roles across the energy and advanced manufacturing sectors.

Key Provisions:

  • Creates a Department of Labor grant program for energy and advanced manufacturing companies that hire eligible separating service members, veterans, and spouses.
  • Provides up to $10,000 per hire and $500,000 per employer annually for training, certification, relocation, and onboarding expenses.
  • Prioritizes veterans with service-connected disabilities or experiencing homelessness.
  • Authorizes $60 million for the program for each of Fiscal Years 2026 through 2031, with a 15% cap on administrative costs

The Daniel J. Harvey, Jr. and Adam Lambert Improving Servicemember Transition to Reduce Veteran Suicide Act

Led by For Country Caucus member Rep. Zach Nunn, a currently serving Iowa Air National Guardsman, this legislation would ensure separating service members and veterans have clear, timely access to mental health resources by expanding information and hands-on assistance during and after their transition to civilian life.

Key Provisions:

  • Requires that counseling provided under the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Transition Assistance Program include mental health information, including:
    • Availability of mental health services through the DoD, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and non-profits.
    • Treatment options for PTSD, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), depression, and other chronic issues.
    • Suicide risk factors, signs, and prevention resources.
    • Support for substance abuse.
  • Expands the VA’s Solid Start program to include education on the mental health and counseling services available through the VA.

You can read the full statement here.

Protecting American Families and Servicemembers from Anthrax Act

Posted on by dcadmin

With Honor Action endorses H.R. 2707, the Protecting American Families and Servicemembers from Anthrax Act, led by For Country Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Don Davis (D-NC), an Air Force veteran, and caucus member Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA), a Navy veteran.

“The American people remember the terror caused by the 2001 Anthrax attacks, and understand our adversaries are unafraid to deploy these novel weapons against us,” said Rye Barcott, co-founder and CEO of With Honor. “With Honor is proud to endorse this bipartisan legislation that ensures the nation has a comprehensive strategy to protect its warfighters and citizens from these kinds of attacks, and a fully stocked Strategic National Stockpile is the only solution. We thank For Country Caucus Co-Chair and member Reps. Don Davis and Jen Kiggans for ensuring the safety of our first responders, service members, and the American people from the threat of Anthrax or other chemical or biological weapons.”

This legislation requires the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Defense Programs and counterparts on the Public Health Emergency Medical Countermeasures Enterprise (PHEMCE) to develop a modernized ten-year strategy for ensuring sustained stockpiling of FDA-approved or cleared anthrax countermeasures, including the replenishment, consistent with requirement levels, of such Anthrax therapeutics stockpiled in the Strategic National Stockpile and by the Secretary of Defense.

Supporting Our Surviving Spouses Act

Posted on by dcadmin

With Honor Action endorses H.R. 3509, the Supporting Our Surviving Spouses Act, led by former For Country Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME), a Marine Corps veteran, and caucus member Rep. Morgan Luttrell (R-TX), an ex-Navy SEAL.

“Losing a loved one in the line of duty is a crushing blow to the families of our service members, and the furthest worry from their mind should be whether or not they can count on their government to support them when the time comes,” said Rye Barcott, co-founder and CEO of With Honor. “With Honor is proud to endorse this bipartisan bill that removes an arbitrary timeline for our grieving Gold Star families. We thank For Country Caucus members Reps. Jared Golden and Morgan Luttrell for standing up for surviving spouses and supporting the families of the fallen.”

This legislation removes the six-year statute of limitations on benefit claims for surviving spouses of those killed in the line of duty on or after 9/11.

 

Honor and Remember Flag Recognition Act

Posted on by dcadmin

With Honor Action endorses H.R. 1363, the Honor and Remember Flag Recognition Act, led by For Country Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Don Davis (D-NC), an Air Force veteran, and caucus member Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA), a Navy veteran.

“The Honor and Remember flag guarantees that those who have passed away while patriotically serving their country will always be recognized by a grateful nation,” said Rye Barcott, co-founder and CEO of With Honor. “With Honor is proud to endorse this bipartisan legislation that federally designates this flag as the symbol of our fallen service members. We thank For Country Caucus Co-Chair Don Davis and caucus member Jen Kiggans for introducing this legislation and their commitment to honoring our service members.”

The legislation designates the “Honor and Remember” flag as a federal symbol of fallen service members, officially recognizing it as a symbol of concern and commitment to honoring and remembering all members of the Armed Forces who lost their lives in the line of duty. It also designates specific days of the year, memorials, and other locations where the flag would be displayed, such as the U.S. Capitol, war memorials, national cemeteries, and other sites.

The VA Loan and Informed Disclosure (VALID) Act

Posted on by dcadmin

Background

The VA Home Loan has been an anchor for service members and veterans since it was first established as part of the 1944 G.I. Bill of Rights, also known as the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act. This landmark legislation offered lower interest rates, limited closing costs, and provided a lifetime benefit, allowing eligible borrowers to utilize it multiple times. By 1955, the first group of eligible borrowers had been granted $30 billion in loans and helped to build 20% of all homes after World War II. In passing this legislation, President Franklin D. Roosevelt made the dream of homeownership a reality for the men and women who put their lives on the line in service to our nation.

However, there is a much different picture today. There were more than 58,000 VA loans that went “untapped” in 2024, leaving $28 billion in unused funds meant to secure housing for our veterans and service members. The housing affordability crisis is driving homeownership further and further out of reach, and most veterans don’t even know they have a lifeline available. Today, only 10-15% of eligible veterans are using this benefit. Many service members and veterans are unaware of the VA home loans, and many realtors steer potential buyers towards conventional mortgages due to the misperception that they are easier to close than a VA loan. Billions of dollars are being left on the table at a time when an estimated 32,882 veterans are experiencing homelessness every night. We know that veterans who experience homelessness are more likely to be younger, enlisted with lower pay grades, and are more likely to be diagnosed with a mental health disorder or traumatic brain injury (TBI) at the time of their separation from active duty, and that over half of homeless veterans have disabilities. Expanding awareness of VA loans and getting them into the hands of veterans and other eligible borrowers is critical to addressing this crisis.

That is why the VA Loan Informed Disclosure (VALID) Act, H.R. 3694 / S.1932, is so important. The Informed Consumer Choice Disclosure, which applies to FHA mortgages, does not require the mortgage lender to disclose the VA loan rate to the borrower, even if they are a veteran or an eligible borrower. Tens of thousands of veterans are facing homelessness every year, in part because they do not have access to information on the VA home loan program and cannot compare it to the FHA loan, fooling them into believing homeownership is beyond their grasp. The VALID Act solves this problem by requiring a side-by-side comparison of conventional, FHA, and VA home loans, allowing the borrower to fully understand their options and the resources at their disposal. It also ensures that the military service question on the Uniform Residential Loan Application form is required to be filled out, so borrowers understand from the start what benefits they are entitled to.

Ongoing Work

Service members upend their lives and relocate their families to go where they are needed and protect our country. When they are ready to put down roots and consider buying a home, they should be well-informed about the VA home loan benefit and the rates they have earned through their service to our country. With Honor and our legislative team have been working since the 117th Congress—nearly six years—to deliver these resources. With Honor and members of our legislative team have been invited to speak at the annual conferences and have advised veteran realtors on Congressional strategies. 

Working alongside the Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals (VAREP), With Honor has endorsed the VALID Act in the 119th Congress and worked with members of the For Country Caucus to build support. Today, the VALID Act has nearly 70 cosponsors in the House of Representatives, including 13 caucus members. In June, With Honor attended VAREP’s 2025 Policy Conference in Washington, D.C., joining real estate professionals from across the nation to educate them on congressional outreach, grassroots advocacy, and legislative strategies related to military and veteran home ownership. 

VAREP’s President, Son Nguyen, stressed the need for swift passage of the VALID Act: “The VALID Act closes critical gaps that have left too many veterans unprotected in the mortgage process,” said Son Nguyen, President and Founder of VAREP. By requiring informed representation and accountability from those serving veteran borrowers, this bill ensures the VA Home Loan benefit truly works as intended. Veterans should be able to use this benefit with confidence — to build stability, equity, and trust, not confusion.”

In July 2025, the VALID Act was included as one of over 40 provisions in the ROAD to Housing Act, introduced by Senators Tim Scott and Elizabeth Warren. The bill incorporated provisions to increase the nation’s housing supply, combat housing affordability issues, and enhance oversight by federal regulators. The ROAD to Housing Act was passed out of committee in July with a unanimous 24-0 vote. The bill was filed as an amendment to the Senate FY26 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in October, becoming a rider on the must-pass bill that authorizes all programs and funding for the Department of Defense and select programs across other government agencies. Now, the bill will proceed to an informal conference process, where House and Senate leaders must reconcile the differences between the versions passed by their respective chambers.

Looking Forward

Advocacy is more critical than ever to ensure that the VALID Act is included in the final FY26 NDAA. As the NDAA heads to conference, Members of Congress who sit on the Armed Services Committees will be well-suited to defend the VALID Act and fight for our veterans and service members. Eighteen members of the For Country Caucus serve on this committee, and With Honor will continue advocating to them, and every member of Congress, for sensible policy solutions that make parts of the American Dream, like homeownership, a reality for every American.

Members of the With Honor team joined VAREP earlier this year at their annual Policy Conference in Washington, D.C.

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