Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Mike Braun (R-Ind.) announced a bill introduced in October to help veteran homebuyers has passed the Senate and is on its way to the House of Representatives for consideration.

The bill, titled the “VA Home Loan Awareness Act of 2023,” addressed concerns that veterans were not taking full advantages of the loan benefits offered by the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA). The legislation was aimed to increase awareness of the VA Home Loan program by adding a disclosure to the uniform residential loan application (URLA) informing veterans they may qualify for a VA home loan; directing applicants to consult their lender for more information about the VA Home Loan program; and instructing the Government Accountability Office to review and report to Congress on how lenders adopt these updates.

“This is an important step toward making the dream of homeownership a reality for more military families and veterans,” Brown said about the bill. “Ohioans who have served our country should have every opportunity to get the VA home loans they’ve earned. The House should quickly approve this bill so it can be signed into law.”

The bill was passed without amendment and by the Senate’s unanimous consent, according to the available bill history. Its sister legislation, HR 5979, still is pending before the House Committee on Financial Services.

“Those who have risked their lives for our freedom should be able to afford a house in the country they’ve sworn to protect,” Braun said about the bill’s passing. “I’m glad that the Senate has passed this bill to inform Hoosier veterans of the benefits they that have earned and deserve.”