President Bush signed the Veterans Housing Opportunity and Benefits Act of 2006 into law June 15. The bill, introduced by Sen. John Sununu (R-N.H.), authorizes Veterans Affairs to make grants available to help with housing adaptations for severely disabled servicemembers. Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, said previously a veteran had to own their own home to qualify for housing grant assistance—which ranges from $2,000 to $14,000.
Three of four congressional committees with influence over defense policy have voted to change the official name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War—but final approval of the Pentagon rebrand is months away and not yet assured.