?Congresswoman Escobar Celebrates Veterans Day with Introduction of Senate Companion Bill

This Veterans Day, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) announced that her bipartisan legislation, the VA Home Loan Navigator Act, now has a version in the Senate. S. 5703 was introduced by Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) today to help veterans better access and use their VA home loan benefits by providing free, independent guidance and counseling. The House version of the bill was introduced on July 1, 2026, by Congresswoman Escobar and Republican Congressman Jack Bergman (MI-01).

The VA Home Loan Navigator Act would establish a voluntary borrower support program within the Department of Veterans Affairs that connects veterans with free, qualified housing counselors trained to help veterans navigate the benefit. This bill builds on a proven model already used throughout the VA benefits system, extending independent assistance to veterans utilizing one of the most important benefits they have earned through military service. Additionally, the legislation includes strong independence and conflict-of-interest protections and provides VA enforcement authority to ensure compliance.

"Too often, veterans seeking home loans face confusion, misinformation, and predatory scams," said Congresswoman Escobar. "My bipartisan bill extends the same kind of support available for other VA benefits to the home loan program, giving veterans access to free, independent guidance when buying, refinancing, or fighting to stay in their homes. Our veterans and their families have sacrificed so much for our country; ensuring their much deserved benefits are working the way they're intended to is the least we can do. I can see no more fitting day for my Senate colleagues to introduce their version than today."

"We have an obligation to do more than say thank you to those who served our country. Our veterans deserve access to affordable, quality health care, to be able to afford groceries and gas, and be able to buy a home. I am so proud to partner with my colleague Senator Tillis to introduce this critical legislation that will support veterans through the mortgage and loan process and make the American dream of owning a home a reality for those who have served our country," said Senator Alsobrooks.

"Our veterans have earned the opportunity to achieve the American dream of owning a home and we have a responsibility to ensure they have the resources and support they need to make it happen. The VA Home Loan Navigator Act will provide veterans with free, trusted guidance to help navigate the homebuying and mortgage process, understand their benefits, and address challenges that could put their homes at risk. I'm proud to partner with Senator Alsobrooks on this bipartisan effort to protect our veterans and ensure they receive the benefits they have earned through their service to our nation," said Senator Tillis.

"Our Veterans earned the VA Home Loan benefit through their service, but too many still face unnecessary confusion when trying to use it," said Rep. Bergman. "This important legislation helps ensure our Veterans have the same trusted support they've long relied on for other VA benefits, making it easier for them to achieve and protect the American dream of homeownership."

The VA Home Loan Navigator Act would provide services at no cost to borrowers, including:

• Education on VA home loan benefits
• Assistance obtaining or resolving issues with certificates of eligibility
• Counseling on homebuying, refinancing, and closing
• Guidance on appraisal requirements, property standards, and loan documentation
• Assistance with loan servicing matters
• Counseling on loss mitigation and foreclosure prevention
• Coordination between borrowers, mortgage servicers, and the VA, and
• Education on housing costs, fees, and financial obligations.