Press Releases

WASHINGTON, DC – This week, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mike Bost (R-Ill.), Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity Chairman Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.), and Rep. Lori Chavez DeRemer (R-Ore.), released the following statements after the House passed three bipartisan veterans’ bills, including Rep. Chavez-DeRemer’s bill, H.R. 3848, comprehensive legislation to improve the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs to effectively bring veterans out of homelessness.

“As the temperature falls across the country, we must do everything we can to ensure veterans have access to the safe, permanent housing they have earned. That starts with investing in VA’s partnerships with transitional housing providers to lift veterans out of homelessness and get them back on their feet, but as inflation and the cost-of-living soars under the Biden administration, providers are struggling to continue their services,” said Chairman Bost. “The HOME Act answers this call head-on and will connect struggling veterans with the tools they need, which is why as Chairman bringing this commonsense, bipartisan bill to the floor for a vote before the end of the year was my number one priority. I am grateful to my friends, Rep. Chavez-DeRemer and our Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity Chairman Rep. Van Orden, for their leadership on this vitally important issue. I look forward to seeing the HOME Act, and the rest of the veterans’ bills the House passed this week signed into law as part of a package of veterans bills as soon as possible.”

“The fact that we still have homeless veterans is shameful – not one of our nation’s heroes should go without a safe place to sleep. As a veteran in Congress, I am committed to finding practical solutions to ending veteran homelessness and ensuring veterans have the resources they need to succeed after their time of service. I am thrilled to see the HOME Act, which strengthens our veteran transitional housing nonprofits, and serves as a significant stride in combating veteran homelessness, pass out of the House,” said Rep. Van Orden.

“Our veterans stepped up to serve our country, and it’s our responsibility to care for them in return. By supporting transitional housing services and creating a stipend for necessities, the HOME Act will provide much-needed assistance to veterans in need,” said Rep. Chavez-DeRemer. “Now that this bill has passed the House, we are one step closer to ensuring every veteran has a place to call home. I’d like to thank Chairman Bost for his leadership and support, and I hope my colleagues in the Senate will take up this commonsense legislation quickly to help our nation’s heroes.”

“The Alliance urges lawmakers to support the Housing Our Military Veterans Effectively (HOME) Act (H.R. 3848), legislation which would restore vital services (e.g., transportation and telephony) and supplies (e.g., food and blankets) which helped the VA to house homeless veterans during the COVID public emergency.  We thank Chairman Bost and Ranking Member Takano for their leadership and urge them to make restoration of these supplies and services to be their highest possible priority. VA lost the authority to provide these services and supplies in May, so let’s enact this vital bill before Congress adjourns so homeless veterans can benefit during the upcoming holidays,” said Ann Marie Oliva, CEO, National Alliance to End Homelessness.       

“NCHV thanks the House of Representatives for acting on this legislation to restore COVID-Era authorities to VA in support of veterans experiencing homelessness. It has been 207 days since the capabilities lapsed creating gaps in service for homeless veterans. We look forward to Senate action to perfect and enact this critical legislation,” said Kathryn Monet, CEO, National Coalition for Homeless Veterans.

“Lyft was grateful to provide nearly 100,000 veterans with access to over half a million rides to and from medical appointments and other supportive services throughout the duration of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) innovative rideshare program for homeless veterans. With the lapse in congressional authority this past spring, hundreds of thousands of veterans have missed critical appointments due to lack of reliable transportation. The HOME Act provides the authority and funding necessary for the VA to restart this program. Lyft commends Chairman Bost and Rep. Chavez-ReDemer for their leadership in successfully passing the HOME Act in the House and urges the Senate to take it up expeditiously. We owe it to the veterans who rely on this transportation program to secure access to reliable benefits that reflect our nation’s gratitude for their service,” said Jeremy Bird, Chief Policy Officer, Lyft.

The following bills were passed out of the House this week:

H.R. 3848 – Housing Our Military Veterans Effectively (HOME) Act (Rep. Chavez-DeRemer)

H.R. 542 – Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act of 2023 (Rep. Brownley/General Bergman)

H.R. 3581 – COPE Act (Rep. Kiggans)