Committee Passes Amata-Cosponsored Veterans Benefits Expansion Bill
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata, Vice Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (HVAC), is an original cosponsor of legislation introduced in December, the Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act, H.R. 6047. On Thursday, the Committee passed the bill, along with four other Veterans bills to increase and improve services, for consideration by the full House of Representatives.
Voting in the Veterans Committee
This legislation would increase the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) monthly compensation benefit for service-connected, catastrophically disabled veterans and the surviving family of 100% disabled or deceased veterans. This tax-free benefit, meant to financially support the loved ones for the loss of their disabled veteran, has not been increased in decades.
“With this bill, Congress keeps commitments to care for catastrophically disabled veterans and recognizes the sacrifices of their families, accounting for increased needs and costs,” said Congresswoman Amata. “Thank you to our Gold Star families and these heroic veterans. It’s important to see this bill through for most substantial growth in these benefits in 20 years.”
The bill is sponsored by Rep. Tom Barrett (R-Mich.) and among the original cosponsors are HVAC Chairman Mike Bost (R-Ill.), Vice Chairman Aumua Amata (American Samoa), Committee on Financial Services Chairman French Hill (R-Ark.), HVAC Subcommittee on Disability Assistance & Memorial Affairs Chairman Rep. Morgan Luttrell (R-Texas), Rep. Kimberlyn King-Hinds (CNMI), and several others for a group of 12 at introduction.
Veterans Committee voted through five bills
H.R. 6047 is named after and supported by two proud Americans – Sharri Briley, the surviving spouse of Army veteran CW3 Donovan ‘Bull’ Briley – and catastrophically disabled Army veteran, Sergeant Eric Edmundson.
Sharri Briley is the surviving spouse of CWO3 Donovan Lee ‘Bull’ Briley, an Army Special Operations Blackhawk helicopter pilot who tragically lost his life in Mogadishu, Somalia during Operation Gothic Serpent (commonly known as the Black Hawk Down incident) in 1993.
Army veteran Sergeant Eric Edmundson’s Humvee was hit by an IED on October 2, 2005, in Iraq. Eric sustained lifechanging injuries – including an anoxic brain injury – which changed the course of his life by ending his ability to speak or walk. Despite these challenges, Eric continues to lead a full life through enhanced medical technology and therapy.
H.R. 6047 would increase VA’s Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefit, which currently provides $1,650 per month. For the next five years, this bill would increase DIC by an additional 1 percent each year on top of inflation, helping over 500,000 families with their living expenses.
Congresswoman Amata in Veterans Committee votes on Thursday
The bill would also significantly raise the monthly benefits rate for catastrophically service-connected disabled veterans with a traumatic brain injury or other severe disabilities that require regular, round the clock, in-home medical care, offering an additional $10,000 annually. This is the first significant increase for this cohort of veterans in decades.
H.R. 6047 has support from various veteran service organizations (VSOs) including the American Legion, Wounded Warrior Project, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Vietnam Veterans of America, AMVETS, Elizabeth Dole Foundation, Gold Star Spouses of America, Military Order of the Purple Heart USA, Independence Fund, National Military Family Association, Gold Star Wives, National Association of County Veterans Service Officers, Quality of Life Foundation, and Veterans MS Alliance.
"This bill is more than legislation to me; it is a promise kept," said Sharri Briley, surviving spouse of CW3 Donovan ‘Bull’ Briley, upon the bill’s introduction. "For thirty-two years, I have lived with the loss of my husband, Donovan, and I have seen firsthand how surviving families continue to bear the cost of war. The Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act honors that sacrifice by providing real, tangible support to survivors and catastrophically disabled veterans. It shows that our nation hears us, sees us, values us, and will stand by us just as our loved ones stood for their country."
“This Act is recognition of the veterans and families who wake up each morning adjusting to the long-term consequences of service,” said Edgar Edmundson, father of Sgt (Ret) Eric Edmundson, when the bill was announced. “The increase in benefits provided by the Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act are not optional — they are essential. Our veterans’ needs evolve as they age, and our support must evolve with them. This legislation ensures that injured veterans and surviving families are not left struggling to meet changing realities alone.”
Also passed Thursday by the Committee were these bills:
- H.R. 3726 – Fisher House Availability Act of 2025.
- H.R. 785 – Representing our Seniors at VA Act of 2025.
- H.R. 3482 – Veterans Community Care Scheduling Improvement Act.
- H.R. 2148 – Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act.
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