Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act of 2026
Floor Speech
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Mr. BARRETT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6047, the Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act, legislation that I am leading with Chairman Bost to support the servicemembers and families who sacrificed the most for our Nation.
When men and women sign up to serve in our Armed Forces, they willingly put their own lives on the line to defend the American people and the freedoms we too often take for granted.
Some of those heroes make the ultimate sacrifice. Others who are lucky enough to come home do so with life-changing injuries. While we can never fully repay the debts that we owe to these men and women, that will never stop us from doing everything that we can.
My bill will deliver a long overdue, historic increase in benefits to care for veterans who were severely injured in the line of duty, and it will support the Gold Star families who lost a spouse, a parent, a child, or a loved one in service to our country.
H.R. 6047 is named in honor of two patriotic Americans. Sharri Briley persevered after her husband, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Donovan Lee ``Bull'' Briley, was tragically killed in action when his Black Hawk went down in Mogadishu. In the face of hardship, she continued raising their daughter and providing for their family after his great sacrifice.
Sergeant Eric Edmundson suffered a severe brain injury when his vehicle was struck by a roadside bomb in Iraq. His injuries have left him unable to speak, walk, or work, and his family provides full-time, around-the-clock care.
I have had the privilege to meet and share time with Sharri, Eric and his family, and families throughout this process. Eric Edmundson and his family were here in Washington, D.C., just yesterday meeting with Members of Congress. Sharri Briley is here this week and joins us in the Capitol today.
I can honestly say that we wouldn't be at this point without their strength, dedication, and hope.
One thing that Sharri Briley told me as we were talking about this is that when she suffered this great tragedy, it was widows from the Vietnam and Korean war generation who stood up to help lead her through this process, and she is standing today to lead that effort on behalf of the generations of Americans who will follow behind her in hoping to lead and increase this benefit.
This bill, named in honor of these families to increase support for survivors like Sharri and Eric, the catastrophically disabled, and Gold Star families, is critically important. Some will be eligible for an additional $10,000 a year to cover their expenses through a special monthly compensation for the catastrophically injured. For the first time since 1993, more than half a million surviving spouses, parents, and children will receive an additional disability indemnity compensation to help cover their needs as they continue without their loved ones.
In addition to that, we are expanding the VA home loan to National Guard and Reserve component, men and women who signed on the dotted line to serve our country, so that they can have an opportunity at the American Dream and build their own home.
My wife and I were fortunate to qualify for a VA home loan to buy our family home together years ago, and that is a benefit we want to extend to more families.
I thank Chairman Bost again for his work on this bill. It is reminding me of an experience I had in basic training. We would line up beside our bunks before going to bed at night and recite the ``Soldier's Creed,'' and there is a line in the ``Soldier's Creed'' that said that the brave soldiers of the past would be proud of me.
I know I am proud of the sacrifice that Sharri Briley, Eric Edmundson, and their families have made on behalf of this country, and I think we stand here, on the eve of Memorial Day, proud of the efforts we are taking to build upon the benefits that they so desperately need, and I encourage my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 6047.
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