releases: http://barletta.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/barletta-backs-bankruptcy-protection-for-national-guard
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| http://barletta.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/barletta-backs-bankruptcy-protection-for-national-guard | Barletta Backs Bankruptcy Protection for National Guard | 2015-12-16 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | PA | Lou Barletta | B001269 | barletta.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Congressman Lou Barletta, PA-11, today supported legislation that extends bankruptcy protections for National Guard and reservist troops returning from active duty. The bill prolongs an exemption from a means test used to determine whether debtors have the financial ability to repay creditors, helping troops deal with unique financial hardships they encounter upon returning home. The exemption was set to expire on December 19, 2015, but the legislation extends it through 2019. The bill, the National Guard and Reservist Debt Relief Extension Act (H.R. 4246), passed the House by a massive bipartisan vote of 419-to-1. The National Guard and reservists put their lives on hold and go into harms way to protect this nation and its citizens, Barletta said. We know that when they return home from active duty, they often encounter economic hardships they werent expecting. We should help them prevent personal financial disaster after they have been risking their lives for our freedoms. The legislation makes it easier for National Guard and reservists to qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcies, which require means tests to determine an individuals ability to repay debts. In some cases, service members have been earning higher pay for hazardous duties while deployed, but see their income drop upon returning home, creating a financial hardship. In other cases, service members have turned to payday lenders for temporary loans and subsequently find themselves unable to retire the debts. The bill extends the exemption from the means test used to determine if they can commit some portion of their monthly income to repayment of creditors. George Washington said, The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation, Barletta said. This is just the right thing to do for those who have served this country. The National Guard is a reserve military force composed of the Army and Air National Guard with a mission to provide aid during domestic emergencies and disasters, such as hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes. The Pennsylvania National Guard is the fourth largest in the country and is vital to the nation, the Commonwealth, and our local communities, particularly in times of disaster. After Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee in 2011, many citizens simply would not have endured without the help of the Guard. Many units have become operational and seen several combat tours abroad. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |