119-HR-3159 Journalist Public Summary
119 · HR 3159 Improving SCRA Benefit Utilization Act
A bipartisan House bill would fold Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) protections into routine military financial training, require clear notices when people enter service or reservists are mobilized, and make lenders apply the SCRA’s 6% interest cap across all of a servicemember’s pre‑service debts with that creditor after one request; it had a House subcommittee hearing on January 21, 2026 and remains at the introduced stage. (congress.gov)
Headline Summary
Make it easier for servicemembers to actually use their existing legal protections—by teaching them about SCRA benefits, requiring timely notices, and directing lenders to apply the 6% interest cap to all pre‑service debts held with the same creditor after a single request. (congress.gov)
What It Does
The bill adds SCRA content to the Defense Department’s financial literacy program, specifically including the 6% interest‑rate limit under SCRA §207 (50 U.S.C. 3937). It also requires written notice of SCRA benefits when someone first enters military service and, for reservists, again when they join the reserves and whenever they are mobilized for more than 30 days. Finally, once a servicemember notifies a creditor, the creditor must apply the 6% cap not only to the listed account but to all other pre‑service obligations with that creditor, and accept documentation online, by mail, or by fax. (congress.gov)
Who’s For It
- Sponsor: Rep. April McClain Delaney (D‑MD). (congress.gov)
- Bipartisan House cosponsors include Reps. Sanford Bishop (D‑GA), Julia Brownley (D‑CA), André Carson (D‑IN), Don Davis (D‑NC), Suzan DelBene (D‑WA), Chris Deluzio (D‑PA), Brian Fitzpatrick (R‑PA), Josh Gottheimer (D‑NJ), Seth Moulton (D‑MA), Del. James Moylan (R‑GU), Marilyn Strickland (D‑WA), Dina Titus (D‑NV), Sheila Cherfilus‑McCormick (D‑FL), Kim Schrier (D‑WA), Abraham Hamadeh (R‑AZ), Wesley Bell (D‑MO), and Steven Horsford (D‑NV). (congress.gov)
- Consumer‑protection enforcers have recently urged lenders to ensure servicemembers actually receive the 6% cap—and even to apply it across all eligible accounts at the same institution—signals that align with this bill’s direction. (justice.gov)
Who’s Against It
- No organized opposition is on record yet; the bill is still early in the process. (congress.gov)
- Potential concerns raised by lenders could include new compliance and systems work to auto‑apply the 6% cap across all obligations and to accept multiple submission channels; agencies have recommended broader application but current law does not always require it. (justice.gov)
What’s Next
As of January 22, 2026, H.R. 3159 has been referred to the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, which held a legislative hearing on January 21, 2026. Next steps could include a subcommittee markup, full committee consideration, and then a House vote. A related Senate bill (S.1550) has been introduced and referred to the Senate Armed Services Committee. (congress.gov)
Discussion