Mr. President, I rise to introduce a bill which permanently authorizes the Native American Veterans Housing Loan Program.

In 1992, I authored a bill that established a pilot program to assist Native American veterans who reside on trust lands. This pilot program, administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), provides direct loans to Native American veterans to build or purchase homes on trust lands. Previously, Native American veterans who resided on trust lands were unable to qualify for VA home loan benefits. This disgraceful treatment of Native American veterans was finally corrected when Congress established the Native American Direct Home Loan Program.

Despite the challenges of creating a program that addresses the needs of hundreds of different tribal entities, VA has successfully entered into agreements to provide direct VA loans to members of 59 tribes and Pacific Island groups, and negotiations continue with other tribes. Since the program's inception, 233 Native American veterans have been able to achieve home ownership, and none of the loans approved by the VA have been foreclosed.

Unfortunately, the authority to issue new loans under this successful program will end on December 31, 2001. This would be devastating to a number of Native American veterans who would like to participate in this program. Native American veterans who reside on trust lands should be afforded the same benefits available to other veterans. Without this program, home loan benefits to Native Americans living on trust lands will cease. This is the only program available for Native American veterans who live on trust lands to finance a home for themselves and their families. There are no alternatives available.

Permanent authorization of this program will ensure that Native American veterans are provided equal access to services and benefits available to other veterans. I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.

I ask unanimous consent that a copy of the bill be printed in the RECORD.