"The VA Home Loan Affordability Act ensures veterans can access a faster, more efficient path to homeownership. This is a decisive step to strengthen a program... and ensure it continues delivering for the next generation of American heroes."
Derrick Van Orden will work to modernize the VA home loan program by reducing bureaucratic barriers and speeding up the homebuying process for veterans, servicemembers, and their families.
Occurrences
"The VA Home Loan Affordability Act ensures veterans can access a faster, more efficient path to homeownership. This is a decisive step to strengthen a program that has already helped millions and ensure it continues delivering for the next generation of American heroes," said Rep. Van Orden.
Mr. Van Orden (for himself, Mr. Bost, Mr. Barrett, Mrs. Kiggans of Virginia, and Mr. Ciscomani) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs... VA Home Loan Affordability Act... To amend title 38, United States Code, to align elements of the housing loan program of the Department of Veterans Affairs with requirements of the Federal Housing Administration, and for other purposes.
The VA Home Loan Affordability Act would modernize different processes within VA’s home loan program to mirror other federal home loan programs and ultimately speed up the homebuying process.
Evidence
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Action listed on April 27, 2026: "Mr. Van Orden ... introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs." The bill title is the "VA Home Loan Affordability Act" and its full title says it would "align elements of the housing loan program of the Department of Veterans Affairs with requirements of the Federal Housing Administration."
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Van Orden said the committee was examining "ways we can improve and modernize the VA Home Loan Program" and that he was "working on a piece of legislation that would streamline the VA home loan program" by updating "outdated minimum property requirements and barriers to entry with the appraisal process." He also said "the work is not done."
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GovInfo lists H.R. 9237 as introduced in the House on June 10, 2026 by Mr. Bost "for himself" and others including "Mr. Van Orden"; it was referred to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs and Armed Services. The bill version is "Introduced in House (IH)."
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The H.R. 9237 text includes a section titled "Home Affordability for Guard and Reserve" that would expand eligibility for VA guaranteed housing loans, including by adding certain reserve-component and National Guard service to the definition of active duty for housing loans and making certain individuals with at least 14 days of qualifying service eligible for home loans subject to an additional loan fee.
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The Rules Committee page for H.R. 9237 lists a June 23, 2026 hearing and says the committee reported a rule by a record vote of 8-4. It provides a closed rule for H.R. 9237, waives points of order, provides that the printed amendment is considered adopted, and provides one hour of debate plus one motion to recommit.
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H. Res. 1377, reported June 23, 2026, provides for consideration of H.R. 9237. The resolution says that upon adoption it shall be in order to consider H.R. 9237, the amendment printed in the Rules Committee report shall be considered adopted, and debate proceeds to final passage subject to one motion to recommit.
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GovInfo still lists H.R. 8532, the VA Home Loan Affordability Act, with last action date April 27, 2026: Van Orden introduced the bill and it was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. The bill version remains "Introduced in House (IH)."
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SEC. 603. VETERANS AFFAIRS LOAN INFORMED DISCLOSURE (VALID) ACT. (a) FHA Informed Consumer Choice Disclosure.-- (1) Inclusion of information relating to va loans.-- Subparagraph (A) of section 203(f)(2) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1709(f)(2)(A)) is amended-- (A) by striking ``ratio in'' and inserting ``ratio-- ``(i) in''; and (B) by adding at the end the following: ``(ii) in connection with a loan guaranteed or insured under chapter 37 of title 38, United States Code, assuming prevailing interest rates; and''.
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Roll Call 224 | Bill Number: H. R. 6644 Jun 23, 2026, 07:25 PM | 119th Congress, 2nd Session Vote Question: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Concur in Senate Adt to House Adt to Senate Adt Housing for the 21st Century Act Status: Passed Van Orden | Republican | WI | Yea
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"to reduce delays, cut outdated rules and help Veteran homebuyers move faster"
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"Meeting has been postponed. Meeting will be rescheduled for a later date."
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Last Action Date Listed April 27, 2026 Action Mr. Van Orden (for himself, Mr. Bost, Mr. Barrett, Mrs. Kiggans of Virginia, and Mr. Ciscomani) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
unverified · Source version 85296 · locator unknown
H.R. 9237 A bill to amend titles 10 and 38, United States Code, and other Federal July 16 laws, to improve benefits for veterans and the administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs. (Pending in the House.)
Assessments
Van Orden made a concrete same-term legislative effort toward the promise: he discussed streamlining and modernizing the VA home loan program, introduced H.R. 8532, the VA Home Loan Affordability Act, and was involved in H.R. 9237 with VA housing-loan provisions. However, the evidence shows these measures were only introduced, referred, or moved procedurally as of July 6, 2026, with no enactment or VA implementation shown. Because the promised modernization and faster homebuying process were not delivered, but there was a serious legislative attempt, this should be scored as never with an effort badge.
The evidence shows Derrick Van Orden materially worked on this promise in office by publicly advancing reforms and introducing the VA Home Loan Affordability Act in the 119th Congress on April 27, 2026. That counts as a serious legislative effort directed at reducing barriers and streamlining the VA home loan process. But the record provided shows only introduction, committee referral, and ongoing committee work, not passage, implementation, or a completed modernization of the program. Under the scoring rule, a serious attempt that did not deliver the promised outcome is scored as never, with effort credit.
Van Orden made a serious same-term legislative effort toward the promise by discussing VA home-loan modernization in committee and introducing H.R. 8532, the VA Home Loan Affordability Act, aimed at reducing VA home-loan barriers and speeding the buying process. But the available record shows that bill was only introduced and referred, not enacted, so the promised modernization has not been delivered. A separate Van Orden VA home-loan bill became law in 2025, but it focused mainly on foreclosure/default relief rather than the promised homebuying-process reforms, so it does not fully satisfy this claim.