A bipartisan effort to increase benefits for severely disabled veterans and military families has progressed, as the Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act passed the House with a 235-179 vote. This bill now moves to the Senate for further consideration.
Expanded Payments for Veterans and Families
The bill proposes a 1.5% increase in Dependency and Indemnity Compensation benefits over two years. These are provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to spouses and family members of service members who perished in duty or due to service-related causes. It also increases Special Monthly Compensation payments by $10,000 annually for those with severe injuries or disabilities requiring constant aid or who suffer from traumatic brain injuries.
This legislation is named after Sharri Briley, widow of Donovan Lee “Bull” Briley, an Army helicopter pilot lost in 1993 during Operation Gothic Serpent in Somalia, and Army veteran Sergeant Eric Edmundson, who experienced a debilitating brain injury.
Introduction and Purpose
Introduced in late 2025 by Tom Barrett, an Iraq War veteran and former Army helicopter pilot, this proposal aims to honor veterans and military families who have made significant sacrifices. Barrett remarked that while the country can never fully repay these heroes, this legislation marks a continued commitment to them.
Home Loan Accessibility for Guard and Reserve Members
The bill includes the Home Affordability for Guard and Reserve Act, designed to ease access to VA-backed home loans for Guard and Reserve members. Current rules require six years of service or 90 days of federal active duty. The proposal allows access after 14 days of active, inactive, or training duty.
Supporters claim this change would help more Guard and Reserve members achieve homeownership.
Funding and Criticisms
To finance these benefits, the legislation raises the VA home loan refinance fee from 0.5% to 1.42%, with the loan assumption fee climbing from 0.5% to 1%. It maintains current funding fee rates for nondisabled veterans and introduces minor monthly charges for some borrowers. Disabled veterans remain exempt from these fees.
Some Democrats support the bill’s intentions but disagree with the funding method, arguing it unfairly burdens other veterans. Over 175 Democrats voted against it, while 30 supported. Only three Republicans opposed it.
Mark Takano, House Committee on Veterans Affairs Ranking Member, expressed opposition due to increased refinance fees on veterans. Common Defense, a progressive Veterans group, echoed these concerns, warning the reforms could lead to significant costs for veterans over a loan’s duration.
Broader Support and Next Steps
Despite opposition, the bill has backing from numerous veterans and military family groups, such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans. Mike Bost, a Republican and chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, emphasized the nation’s significant debt to its veterans and families.
After passing the House, the bill advances to the Senate.