House Republicans Pass Historic Benefits Increase for Catastrophically Disabled Veterans and Gold Star Families, Key Constitutional Rights Bill

House Republicans Pass Historic Benefits Increase for Catastrophically Disabled Veterans and Gold Star Families, Key Constitutional Rights Bill

Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mike Bost (R-Ill.), Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.), Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.), Rep. Tom Barrett (R-Mich.), and House Committee on Financial Services Chairman French Hill (R-Ark.), released the following statements after the House passed two major veterans' bills leading into Memorial Day. Over 150 Democrats voted against both bills.

The Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act would increase the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) monthly compensation benefit for service-connected, catastrophically disabled veterans and the surviving families of 100% disabled or deceased veterans. Both these tax-free VA benefits, meant to financially support veterans who live with the most severe disabilities and injuries as a result of their service in uniform, as well as the American families whose loved ones were killed in action or passed away due to a service-connected injury or illness, have not been increased in decades. This bill also expands eligibility for the VA Home Loan benefit to thousands of National Guard and Reserve members. Read more about H.R. 6047 here.

The Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act would ensure that no VA bureaucrat can strip a veteran with a fiduciary of their right to bear arms without a judge or court ruling first that the veteran is a danger to themselves or their community, implementing long overdue constitutional due process rights for hundreds of thousands of veterans. Read more about H.R. 1041 here.

"As our nation observes Memorial Day next week, it was a privilege to pass two vitally important veterans' bills out of the House this week. Both the Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act, as well as the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act, will make a real difference in veterans' lives. The one percent - the men and women who raise their right hand to defend life and liberty for Americans they will never know - are who both these bills are for," said Chairman Bost. "The first bill, H.R. 6047, raises the VA benefits for severely disabled veterans and their families who live with the visible wounds of military service 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, as well as the Gold Star families of our nation's fallen heroes. These American families would never ask for anything, but our nation owes them a debt that can never fully be repaid. H.R. 6047 takes a step forward to do that for the first time in over 20 years. I want to thank both the Briley and Edmundson families, as well as our veteran service organization community, for their tireless advocacy on this landmark bill," Chairman Bost continued. "The second bill, H.R. 1041, ends a government overreach that - for far too long - has wrongfully targeted veterans and infringed on the rights granted to every single American citizen by the Constitution. This bill has been a longstanding priority for me both as a veteran, and as a sportsman, and I am proud to see it through. I am disappointed that a number of our Democrat colleagues chose politics over veteran families this week, but the American people should trust that House Republicans will continue to steer the ship and deliver results on the promises we have made to the men and women we proudly serve. I hope the Senate will pass these good bills as soon as possible."

"Every member of Congress is keenly aware that American strength and freedom are not free; they're paid for and secured by the selfless sacrifice of our military personnel and their families. As Memorial Day approaches, this week, House Republicans advanced two pieces of legislation which will safeguard the constitutional rights of American veterans and deliver meaningful relief to Gold Star families," said Speaker Johnson, "It's our duty to support the men and women who put their lives on the line for our freedom, and I commend Chairman Bost and Rep. Barrett for their leadership in support of America's veterans."

"Our nation can never fully repay the debt we owe to the heroes and families who have served and sacrificed for our freedom," said Rep. 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."

"House Republicans were proud to pass legislation delivering long-overdue support for the men and women who served our country and the families who sacrificed alongside them," said Leader Scalise. "These bills strengthen assistance for military families and ensure veterans are not denied their constitutional rights. I'm grateful to Chairman Bost, Subcommittee chair Tom Barrett and the Veterans' Affairs Committee for their leadership in advancing these commonsense reforms for America's veterans."

"Our nation is forever indebted to the brave men and women who have fought to keep us safe and protect our freedom. We have a responsibility to take care of our veterans, especially those who were wounded in service to our country. Thanks to the leadership of Chairman Bost and Congressman Barrett, for the first time in over 20 years, we are increasing benefits for veterans with TBIs and other disabilities that require constant medical care," said Majority Whip Tom Emmer. "We are also taking steps to ensure that veterans who need assistance managing their VA benefits are not stripped of their Second Amendment rights, ending current reporting practices that stigmatize mental health. House Republicans will always prioritize veterans and ensure they have access to the care they need."

"When our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines are killed or badly injured in service to our nation, their families are left to carry the burden, often for decades. That is why the Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act is so important. For the first time in over 20 years, it increases the benefits surviving spouses and catastrophically injured veterans need and deserve," said House Committee on Financial Services Chairman Hill. "My friend and committed Arkansas Gold Star widow Sharri Briley has fought tirelessly for this moment, and it is only fitting that this bill carries her name. I am proud to have co-sponsored and voted for this bill, and I thank Chairman Bost for his relentless leadership in getting it across the finish line for the families of our heroes."

"Service does not end when the war is over, and sacrifice does not disappear when the uniform comes off," said Chairwoman McClain. "Our disabled veterans and surviving families have carried the weight of that sacrifice for far too long, and our nation has a responsibility to stand by them long after the mission ends. I'm proud to stand with my Republican colleagues in making sure that commitment actually means something-and that we are making life more affordable and taking care of those who have given so much in the name of freedom," Chairwoman McClain continued. "It should go without saying that veterans should not be treated like second-class citizens simply because they need help managing their books - but under current law, they are. The brave men and women who defended our freedom should never have their constitutional rights stolen by unelected bureaucrats. Asking for help managing your benefits isn't a crime, and it shouldn't cost you your Second Amendment rights. We are putting an end to this weaponized overreach and restoring the due process our veterans earned."

H.R. 6047 is supported by the following veteran service organizations and stakeholders: Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW), The 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 (MOAA), Armed Forces Retiree Association, Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A., Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH), Commissioned Officers Association of the U.S.P.H.S., Blinded Veterans Association, Quality of Life Foundation, and Independence Fund.

H.R. 1041 is supported by supported by the following veteran service organizations and stakeholders: American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), The National Disability Rights Network (NDRN), Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW), American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), Black Veterans Empowerment Council (BVEC), Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH), Mission Roll Call, Veteran Warriors (VW), National Association of County Veterans Service Officers (NACVSO), Gun Owners of America (GOA), National Rifle Association (NRA), National Association for Gun Rights (NAGR), Firearm Industry Trade Association (NSSF), Association of Mature American Citizens Action (AMAC Action), Turning Point Action (TPA), and the Autistic Self Advocacy Network.