These pages are now at www.theletfreedomringamendment.com
There’s something sacred about the idea of home. It’s not just a roof overhead—it’s the feeling of belonging, safety, and stability. For many veterans, that sense of security represents a promise made by a grateful nation. But what happens when that promise is broken? When the very system built to protect those who served turns its back during their time of need?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of Americans sought mortgage forbearance through the CARES Act. For veterans and servicemembers, additional protections came through the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA). In December 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued joint notices reminding mortgage companies and landlords to follow these laws and protect military families. Those releases remain publicly available at https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/justice-department-and-cfpb-put-landlords-and-mortgage-servicers-notice-about-servicemembers and https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/newsroom/cfpb-and-doj-put-landlords-and-mortgage-servicers-on-notice-about-servicemembers-and-veterans-rights/, and the DOJ’s letter to mortgage servicers can be downloaded directly at https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/press-release/file/1457516/dl.
But despite those warnings, violations continued. Families who had been promised protection found themselves facing foreclosure threats, damaged credit, and denials of loan assumptions—all tied to errors that never should have happened.
A Pattern That Should Have Been Broken
This isn’t new. Over a decade ago, some of the nation’s largest financial institutions were fined for illegally foreclosing on active-duty military families. Those cases were supposed to serve as lessons for the industry, but too often, history repeats itself. And this time, it’s repeating against veterans and families still recovering from the hardships of a global pandemic.
The Let Freedom Ring Amendment
That’s where the Let Freedom Ring Amendment comes in. It’s a proposal built on a simple truth—fairness shouldn’t depend on persistence or privilege.
*Note: The Let Freedom Ring Amendment is a proposed reform submitted to Senator Chris Van Hollen’s office in October 2025 for consideration at the federal level.*
This amendment would ensure that veterans, surviving spouses, and families are treated with dignity and justice when dealing with federally backed mortgages.
The amendment calls for:
• Mandatory correction of any credit misreporting linked to federally protected forbearance or disaster relief.
• Automatic review of any foreclosure or assumption denial involving a veteran, surviving spouse, or COVID-impacted borrower.
• Civil penalties for servicers who misreport or mishandle loans covered by federal protections—expanding accountability beyond current law.
• Transparent coordination between the VA, CFPB, and the public to ensure accountability.
• Fair access to assumption rights for surviving spouses and heirs—expanding upon existing VA policy to prevent unnecessary displacement.
In short, the Let Freedom Ring Amendment is about restoring trust. It’s about ensuring that the sacrifices made in service to this country are met with protection, not red tape. It’s a call to rebuild confidence in a system that was designed to defend—not deny—the people who’ve already given so much.
Take Action
If you believe in fairness and accountability for veterans and their families, raise your voice. Contact Senator Chris Van Hollen’s office and ask about the Let Freedom Ring Amendment. You can do so through his website HERE.
Here’s a message you can share:
“Dear Senator Van Hollen, I’m writing to express support for the Let Freedom Ring Amendment. Veterans and their families deserve consistent, fair treatment from mortgage servicers and oversight agencies. Please champion this reform to ensure that no veteran or family member ever loses their home due to mismanagement or neglect of federal protections.”
References
U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs. (2021, December 20; updated 2025, February 6). Justice Department and CFPB put landlords and mortgage servicers on notice about servicemembers’ and veterans’ rights. https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/justice-department-and-cfpb-put-landlords-and-mortgage-servicers-notice-about-servicemembershttps://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/justice-department-and-cfpb-put-landlords-and-mortgage-servicers-notice-about-servicemembers
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. (2021, December 20). CFPB and DOJ put landlords and mortgage servicers on notice about servicemembers’ and veterans’ rights. https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/newsroom/cfpb-and-doj-put-landlords-and-mortgage-servicers-on-notice-about-servicemembers-and-veterans-rights/
U.S. Department of Justice. (2021, December 20). Notification Letter to Mortgage Servicers [PDF]. https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/press-release/file/1457516/dl
Office of U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen. (2025, October 7). Digital Privacy Release – Veterans benefits/services (constituent services form). https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/EForm.aspx?__cid=SenVanHollen&__fid=100090
—
From Aunty Christine 💜
I’ve seen firsthand how systems meant to help can sometimes hurt the very people they were designed to protect. But I also believe in the power of people—the power of compassion, persistence, and unity. Change happens when ordinary voices refuse to be silenced. Let’s make sure every veteran, every spouse, every family has the fairness they were promised. Together, we can let freedom truly ring.
Leave a comment