House Approves Barrett Legislation to Deliver Historic Benefit Increase for Wounded Veterans, Gold Star Families
H.R. 6047 Is Barrett’s Seventh Bill to Pass the House, Includes His Plan to Expand VA Home Loan Eligibility
Click here or above to watch Barrett’s remarks.
Washington, D.C. — The U.S. House of Representatives today passed Congressman Tom Barrett’s (MI-07) bipartisan Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act (H.R. 6047) by a vote of 235-179.
H.R. 6047 includes another bill Barrett introduced, the Home Affordability for Guard and Reserve Act (H.R. 7009), which is his eighth to pass the chamber this Congress. Together, this legislation would increase benefits for severely disabled veterans and family members who lost a loved one in the line of duty. It would also expand eligibility for the VA home loan to more National Guard and Armed Forces Reserve members.
“Our nation can never fully repay the debt we owe to the heroes and families who have served and sacrificed for our freedom,” said Barrett. “But passing my bipartisan legislation today is further proof that we will never stop trying. The Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act will finally deliver a long-overdue increase in financial support for catastrophically injured veterans and the loved ones of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. I worked hard with my colleagues to get this bill done and am proud it includes another one of my bills to help more service members and veterans achieve the American Dream of homeownership. These benefit expansions will help our veterans and military families who have given so much for our nation.”
The Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act (H.R. 6047) would increase benefit payments for more than 7,000 severely disabled veterans and more than half a million Gold Star families. The legislation would add $10,000 to annual benefits under the Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) program for injured veterans who need regular aid in their home under the supervision of a medical professional. The bill will also raise Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits for surviving family members who lost a parent, spouse, or child in military service; the 1.5% increase is the first increase since 1993
The Home Affordability for Guard and Reserve Act (H.R. 7009) was incorporated into the bill text of H.R. 6047 and would help more reservists and National Guard members buy a home. Currently, Guard and Reserve members must serve at least 90 days of non-training federal active duty or six years in the National Guard or Reserve to apply for VA home loans, which require no down payment and offer a competitive interest rate. Barrett’s bill would expand eligibility and allow Guard and Reserve members who have served 14 total days of active duty, inactive duty training, or annual training duty to apply for a VA home loan.
The legislation was supported by the following veteran service organizations (VSOs) and stakeholders: Paralyzed Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S., American Legion, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), Elizabeth Dole Foundation (EDF), Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), AMVETs, Gold Star Spouses of America, Gold Star Wives of America, Fleet Reserve Association, Marine Corps League, Military Officers Association of America, Armed Forces Retiree Association, Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A., Military Order of the Purple Heart, Commissioned Officers Association of the U.S.P.H.S., Blinded Veterans Association, Quality of Life Foundation, and Independence Fund.
CLICK HERE to read the legislation.