New Federal Bill Aims to Boost Benefits for Wounded Veterans

The Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act would provide more financial support for veterans with critical injuries.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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A new federal bill, the Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act, is being considered that would offer additional annual payments of $10,000 to veterans who suffered critical injuries such as head trauma, loss of limbs, and paralysis during military service. The bill would also increase monthly support by 1% per year for the next five years for survivors of veterans and military members who died from their injuries.

Why it matters

This bill aims to provide more comprehensive financial support for wounded veterans and their families, recognizing the significant sacrifices they have made in service to their country. Improving benefits for disabled veterans can help them and their loved ones better manage the long-term impacts of their injuries and aid in their recovery and reintegration into civilian life.

The details

The new federal bill, named after Army Black Hawk pilot Sharri Briley and former Army sergeant Eric Edmundson, would offer an additional $10,000 annually to veterans with critical injuries sustained during military service. The bill would also increase monthly support payments to survivors of veterans and military members who died from their injuries by 1% per year for the next five years.

  • The bill was introduced in November of last year and has been referred to the House Committee on Veteran Affairs.

The players

Sharri Briley

The widow of an Army Black Hawk pilot killed in 1993 in Somalia, for whom the bill is partially named.

Eric Edmundson

A former Army sergeant who suffered shrapnel wounds, a heart attack, and a brain injury after his Humvee hit a roadside bomb in 2005 in Iraq, for whom the bill is partially named.

Tim Ward

The President of VFW Post 4469 in Beckley, West Virginia, who expressed support for the bill and its potential benefits for veterans.

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What they’re saying

“Well anything to assist our disabled veterans or veterans in general I'm all for. As prior military retired military member, to give back to members that have raised their right hand and in many cases paid the ultimate sacrifice. Can you put a price on that?”

— Tim Ward, President, VFW Post 4469 (wvnstv.com)

“It puts more money back in the Veterans pockets which allows them to go out into the economy. I mean it's a bottom up system so the more we have the more we can go out and support our local economy. So it can only benefit the whole mass.”

— Tim Ward, President, VFW Post 4469 (wvnstv.com)

What’s next

The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Veteran Affairs, and its progress will be monitored to see if it advances further in the legislative process.

The takeaway

This proposed legislation demonstrates a commitment to providing more robust financial support for wounded veterans and their families, recognizing the immense sacrifices they have made in service to their country. If passed, it could have a significant positive impact on the lives of disabled veterans and help them and their loved ones better manage the long-term effects of their injuries.