Technical corrections only. The diff updates the bill's procedural status to reflect its referral to the Senate and includes the name of the House Clerk. No substantive policy changes were made between v3 and v4.
Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act of 2026
- Sponsor
- Rep. Barrett, Tom [R-MI-7]
- Committees
- Veterans' Affairs Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Jun 2, 2026
Bottom line
The bill broadens and increases several key veterans' benefits, particularly in disability compensation, survivor benefits, and housing loan access, while adjusting associated loan fees and their expiration dates.
What it actually does
This bill, the "Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act of 2026," expands benefits for veterans and their survivors. It increases monthly aid and attendance allowances for certain disabled veterans, modifies the annual cost-of-living adjustment for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) by adding an extra percentage point (then 0.5%) for two adjustments, extends the duration of certain housing loan fee waivers, and significantly expands eligibility for VA-guaranteed housing loans to include more members of the Reserve Components and National Guard, including retroactively to September 11, 2001, with some new categories requiring an additional loan fee.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue this bill is a vital step to ensure veterans, their families, and Guard and Reserve members receive the compensation and support they deserve, especially given rising costs of living and the unique sacrifices made by those serving in non-traditional capacities. They contend that expanding housing loan eligibility will make homeownership more accessible for a broader range of service members, recognizing their contributions.
Opponents contend
Critics, while generally supportive of veterans, might raise concerns about the long-term fiscal impact of expanding benefits and the potential for increased national debt. They may question the specific mechanisms for increasing DIC, such as the additional percentage point, and whether the new housing loan fees adequately offset the expanded eligibility without burdening new beneficiaries.
The bill is relatively short, but its technical nature and cross-references require careful reading to fully grasp the implications of each provision.
Section 2(a)
Supplemental Monthly Allowance for Aid and Attendance
This provision amends Title 38 to add a new subsection (u) to Section 1114. It directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to pay an additional supplemental monthly allowance of $833.33 to veterans who are already eligible for a monthly aid and attendance allowance due to severe disability. This increase takes effect on December 1, 2026.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue this increase provides much-needed financial relief to severely disabled veterans who require significant assistance with daily living, helping them cover the high costs of care and improving their quality of life.
Critics contend
No specific opposition is typically raised against direct increases to disability compensation for severely disabled veterans, though general fiscal concerns about overall spending might be mentioned.
Tradeoffs
The primary tradeoff is the increased federal expenditure versus the enhanced support for a vulnerable veteran population.
Section 2(b)
Enhanced DIC Cost-of-Living Adjustments
This section mandates that whenever Social Security benefits increase due to a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), the VA must increase Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) dollar amounts by the same percentage as the Social Security COLA, plus an additional one percent. After the first such increase, the additional percentage will be one half of one percent. This mechanism takes effect December 1, 2026, and terminates after the second increase.
Section 3
Extension and Adjustment of VA Housing Loan Fees
This section amends the loan fee table for VA-guaranteed housing loans. It extends the expiration date for certain loan fee waivers from June 9, 2034, to September 30, 2036. Additionally, it increases specific loan fee percentages: from 0.50% to 1.42% in subparagraph (E) and from 0.50% to 1.0% in subparagraph (I) of the loan fee table.
Section 4
Extension of Pension Payment Limits
This provision extends the expiration date for certain limits on pension payments from January 31, 2033, to September 30, 2036. This means that existing rules regarding the maximum amount of pension a veteran can receive will remain in effect for an additional three years and eight months.
Section 5
Expanded VA Housing Loan Eligibility for Guard and Reserve
This section, titled the "Home Affordability for Guard and Reserve Act," significantly expands the definition of "active duty" for VA housing loan purposes to include various types of service for Reserve Components and National Guard members, including inactive-duty training, annual training, and specific full-time National Guard duties. This expansion is retroactive to September 11, 2001. It also creates a new category of eligibility for individuals with at least 14 days of active duty service (under the expanded definition) who complete entry-level and skill training, subject to an additional 1.00% loan fee.
The enhanced Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) mechanism, which adds an extra percentage point (then half a point) to the Social Security COLA, will terminate after the date on which the second increase to such amounts occurs.
Section 2(b)(4)(B)
Why it matters:This could be standard legislative practice for sunset clauses, or it could be a way to make the enhanced COLA appear more permanent than it is without drawing immediate attention to its limited duration.
Case for: Proponents might argue that a temporary boost is sufficient to address immediate economic pressures on surviving spouses without committing to an indefinite, higher-than-standard COLA, thus managing long-term fiscal exposure.
Case against: Critics might argue that a temporary measure provides only short-term relief and that surviving spouses deserve a more consistent and robust adjustment mechanism to keep pace with inflation over the long haul, suggesting the termination undermines the stated goal of expansion.
Estimated impact: Limits the long-term fiscal impact of the enhanced DIC COLA, potentially saving federal funds in the future, but also limits the long-term benefit for recipients.
Individuals newly eligible for VA home loans under the expanded definition (at least 14 days active duty and completion of entry-level training) will be subject to an additional 1.00% loan fee on top of the standard loan fee table percentages.
Section 5(c)(1) and 5(c)(3)
Why it matters:This is common legislative drafting to separate eligibility criteria from fee structures. However, the specific fee amount being in a separate, cross-referenced section could make it less immediately apparent to a casual reader that this new eligibility comes with a distinct financial cost.
Case for: Proponents would argue that this additional fee helps to offset the increased administrative and financial risk associated with expanding eligibility to a broader group of service members, ensuring the long-term solvency of the VA loan program.
Case against: Critics might contend that imposing an additional fee on these newly eligible service members, who have already served their country, creates a two-tiered system and could act as a disincentive, making the benefit less attractive or accessible for those it aims to help.
Estimated impact: Increases the cost of obtaining a VA loan for a specific subset of newly eligible Guard and Reserve members, generating additional revenue for the VA loan program.