The Markup hearing on this bill was a bit heated over funding sources for the bill.
"Because of this political squabbling, and political posturing, and because of putting politics over policy and people; We are unable to provide more money to our Gold Star Spouses. A Gold Star Family, it's not a mortgage like we are discussing here, or a 30-year commitment, its a lifetime commitment that we OWE as American Citizens because their husband or wife is never going to come back. ... Because of this political posturing...we can't give them more support and that is SHAMEFUL." Congressman Van Orden, WI3, Member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, Feb 12, 2026. Comments on HR 6047
"We beleive that the country should pay for this and not other Veterans" Minority House Committe Chair, Congressman Takano
"(HR 6047) Reaffirms a prormise that their service to this country was not in vain; America has their (our) back" Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, Congressman Bost, on HR 6047 proceeding to the full house of Representatives.
Today the House Veterans Affairs Committee marked up HR 6047 the Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act of 2025. This bill will incrementally increase Dependent Indemnity Compensation (DIC) by a certain percentage over a set number of years. This bill also increases special monthly compensation (SMC) for veteran's who are catastrophically disabled and require round-the-clock care. Original bill DIC increase was 5% over 5 years. Amendments put forward are asking for 0.5% over 2 years due to budgetary restraints and funding sources.
DIC is paid to Surviving Spouses of those killed in combat or active duty and Surviving Spouses of those with Service-Connected Deaths-meaning their active-duty service caused their deaths.
Gold Star Spouses of America supports ANY increase in DIC which will bring current rates in line with other Federal Survivor Benefits, even if it is incremental. Currently other Federal Survivors receive 55%. DIC compensation is paid at approximately 43% of a single 100 percent disabled veteran (special monthly compensations not considered in calculations).
An additional bill HR2055, Caring for Survivors- addresses the full disparity in DIC to parity with other Federal Survivor Benefits.
HR 6047, is a beginning, a start, to addressing the disparity, and restore dignity, and parity in survivor’s payments to Surviving Spouses. Not an end.
We will continue to advocate for Surviving Spouses as part of the mission of Gold Star Spouses of America in remembrance of those who gave their lives to this country.
