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S. 3197: National Guard and Reservists Debt Relief Act of 2008

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S. 3197: National Guard and Reservists Debt Relief Act of 2008

110th Congress · introduced 2008-06-25 · Finance and Financial Sector · Latest: Became Public Law No: 110-438.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2008-06-25 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: 1 recorded vote in our records. Latest: House roll call 682 (2008): On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, S3197 (2008-10-03), Passed. See all
  4. Where it stands now: Became Public Law No: 110-438. (final step reached)
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

National Guard and Reservists Debt Relief Act of 2008

Plain summary

(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on September 15, 2008. The summary of that version is repeated here.) National Guard and Reservists Debt Relief Act of 2008 - (Sec. 2) Amends federal bankruptcy law to prohibit the bankruptcy court from dismissing or converting a chapter 7 liquidation case based upon means testing if the debtor, after September 11, 2001, was called to active duty or homeland defense activity while a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces or a member of the National Guard, and such debtor is: (1) on active duty for a specified period; or (2) performing a homeland defense activity for a specified period. (Sec. 3) Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on whether and to what degree members of reserve components of the Armed Forces and the National Guard: (1) avail themselves of the benefits of this Act; (2) are debtors in federal bankruptcy cases substantially related to service that qualifies them for such benefits ; and (3) are debtors in federal bankruptcy cases materially related to such service. Requires such study to include the effects that the use of this Act by such members has upon: (1) the bankruptcy system; (2) creditors; and (3) the debt-incurrence practices of such members. Prescribes mandatory factors for consideration in such report.

Congressional Research Service summary (Public Law), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

National Guard and Reservists Debt Relief Act of 2008

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Public Law)

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The strongest published arguments

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL] · 2 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: S. 3197, National Guard and Reservists Debt Relief Act of 2008 (2008-09-23); CBO cost estimate: S. 3197, National Guard and Reservists Debt Relief Act of 2008 (2008-09-23)

Cosponsors on this site

Sponsor's campaign money: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL] reported raising $84,084 (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

Recorded votes

Sources

Record fed-us-cong110-s3197 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong110 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong110