U.S. Capitol Building, Washington, D.C. (Photo: Library of Congress – Carol M. Highsmith Archive)
A proposal that could provide additional compensation to some severely disabled Veterans has made little progress since passing the House in May.
H.R. 6047, known as the Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act of 2026, cleared the House on May 21 with a 235-179 vote. The bill was sent to the Senate on June 2 and remains under consideration by the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
The legislation would create an additional monthly payment for certain severely Disabled Veterans who already receive a VA aid-and-attendance allowance. The Congressional Budget Office estimates about 8,000 Veterans currently receive the allowance covered by the proposal. Eligible Veterans would initially receive an additional $833 per month, or nearly $10,000 annually.
The proposed increase would not apply to every Veteran with a 100% disability rating. Instead, it would be limited to those receiving the specific VA allowance covered by the legislation.
The measure would also increase Dependency and Indemnity Compensation for eligible survivors and make changes to VA home loan eligibility for some National Guard and Reserve members. Those provisions were included alongside the disability compensation increase when the House passed the bill in May.
Provisions from H.R. 6047 are included in the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act, or TCAVA, a larger package of Veteran-related legislation. That package has stalled amid disagreement over how some of its costs should be covered.
One proposal would use projected savings from future VA rating changes for tinnitus and sleep apnea to help fund TCAVA, including the proposed $833 monthly increase for certain severely disabled Veterans. Supporters say existing ratings would be protected, while opponents argue future Veterans could receive less compensation and have proposed using unobligated Department of Defense funds instead.
The disagreement became more visible in July. A planned House vote on TCAVA was pulled on July 16 amid disputes over the funding provisions. The issue continued in the Senate on July 29.
Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Jerry Moran (R.Kan) sought unanimous consent to advance his version of the legislation, but Democrats blocked the request. Moran later objected when Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) sought approval for an amended version using the alternative Department of Defense funding proposal. Neither version advanced.
H.R. 6047 has yet to receive a final Senate vote, and lawmakers have not set a timeline for further consideration. Its provisions could still move independently or as part of TCAVA or another Veteran legislative package.
The delay means the additional $833 monthly payment first discussed when H.R. 6047 passed the House remains only a proposal. Eligible Veterans will not receive the increase unless Congress approves the benefit provisions and the legislation is signed into law.
Author: Rikki Almanza
Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted family connection to the military, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.
