House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mike Bost (R-Ill.) opened a committee session today to consider five bills, including four led by House Republicans. Among the legislation discussed was H.R. 6047, known as the Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act of 2026. This bill proposes a significant increase in monthly compensation benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for service-connected, catastrophically disabled veterans and the surviving families of servicemembers who were killed in action, as well as for those who are 100% disabled or deceased. According to Bost, these specific VA benefits have not seen a major increase in decades.
During his remarks, Bost referenced testimony given last December by Sharri Briley and Edgar Edmundson about how the proposed changes would affect their lives and others in similar situations. He quoted their message: "our veteran community has earned this – put politics aside and get this bill done." Bost emphasized that the bill is intended to recognize the sacrifices made by severely wounded veterans and the families of those who died due to their service.
"This bill honors the sacrifice of our most severely wounded veterans and the loved ones of those heroes who died because of their service," said Bost. "It helps families that sacrificed so much for us with their financial stability. It is a promise that we have got their back."
Bost expressed hope that the committee would be able to advance legislation benefiting thousands of Americans like Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson.
In addition to H.R. 6047, other bills under consideration aim to improve scheduling for VA community care, ensure policies for elderly veterans are guided by expert input, and provide lodging options for families when servicemembers or veterans receive treatment far from home.
Bost concluded his remarks by thanking members of the community involved in supporting veterans and their families before yielding time to Ranking Member Mark Takano for his opening statement.
