{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://mann.house.gov/media/press-releases/mann-alford-correa-pettersen-push-va-enhance-veterans-buying-power", "Mann, Alford, Correa, Pettersen Push VA to Enhance Veterans' Buying Power", "2024-06-11", "2024", "2024-06", "Republican", "House", "KS", "Tracey Mann", "M000871", "mann.house.gov", "mann", "https://mann.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Representative Tracey Mann (KS-01), alongside co-chairs of the Congressional Real Estate Caucus Representatives Mark Alford (MO-04), Lou Correa (CA-46), and Brittany Pettersen (CO-08), led their colleagues in sending a letter to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), urging a critical review and revision of its current policies regarding the use of VA home loans for veterans employing buyer brokers during real estate transactions. Due to recent changes in the real estate industry, restrictions could place veterans at a disadvantage in competitive housing markets, potentially limiting their ability to purchase homes. The letter was also signed by Representatives Derrick Van Orden (WI-03), Aaron Bean (FL-04), Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), Wiley Nickel (NC-13), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Monica De La Cruz (TX-15), and Andy Ogles (TN-05). The Members requested a response from the Department by Friday, June 28.\n\n\u201cThe prohibition of a veteran\u2019s ability to pay the compensation of their own agent or broker using a VA loan can push them to a less favorable loan product, leave them unrepresented in the buying process, or out of the market entirely. VA buyers should have the same flexibility and rights as others in the real estate market,\u201d the Members wrote.\n\n\u201cOur support for our nation\u2019s veterans and service members cannot stop when they take off their uniforms,\u201d said Rep. Mann. \u201cFor 80 years, the VA\u2019s Home Loan Guaranty Program has helped position these brave men and women to provide homes for their families and build equity for future generations. Failing to match the VA\u2019s policies with the modern-day industry standards would only handcuff veterans in an already extremely challenging housing market. We must ensure that America\u2019s heroes have access to the same flexibilities as other buyers. I\u2019m hopeful that the VA will swiftly correct this simple flaw.\u201d\n\n\"We must ensure that our veterans have access to all necessary resources to make informed decisions in the real estate market,\u201d said Rep. Alford. \u201cThe current VA loan policies will hinder their ability to compete fairly and must be revisited. Our veterans deserve the right to secure the best possible representation during such significant transactions.\"\n\n\u201cThose who\u2019ve offered to make the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom deserve the ability to be homeowners and continue on their journey to achieve the American Dream,\u201d said Rep. Correa. \u201cThe VA\u2019s loan policies play a critical role in making that dream a reality for our veterans, and it\u2019s past time that they\u2019re revisited, and we allow veterans the flexibility they need during the incredibly complex, and increasingly competitive, home-buying process.\u201d\n\nThe letter is also supported by the National Association of Realtors.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:11:47Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://mann.house.gov/media/press-releases/mann-alford-correa-pettersen-push-va-enhance-veterans-buying-power"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.8642072789371014, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}