Christine Quinn: “I join my good friend, the gentleman from California, in making note that Veterans Day, of course, is only a few days…”

“I join my good friend, the gentleman from California, in making note that Veterans Day, of course, is only a few days away, and it is appropriate that we come here together today to make improvements to several veterans' benefits programs. I would like to take my time this afternoon to address the sections of S. 714 that fall within the jurisdiction of our Subcommittee on Veterans Benefits. Section 201 of S. 714 continues VA's authority to provide direct loans to Native Americans through the year 2001. This program offers the opportunity to Native American veterans living on tribal trust land to purchase a home that they might not otherwise be able to acquire. The program requires the VA to conclude a memorandum of understanding with tribal governments that, among other things, gives the VA access to the property in case of foreclosure, thus protecting the interests of the taxpayer. The bill would add specific outreach requirements such as participation in Native American conferences and outstationing loan guaranty specialists in tribal facilities only on a part-time basis.”