Tom Barrett

Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act of 2026

Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act of 2026 This bill expands specified benefits programs for veterans and their survivors and establishes a supplemental monthly allowance for certain disabled veterans. The bill establishes a supplemental monthly allowance of $833.33 for veterans who are already eligible for a monthly aid and attendance allowance due to service-connected disabilities or traumatic brain injury. The bill increases the rate of dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) by an additional 1% the next time DIC is adjusted for cost of living and an additional 0.5% the following adjustment. DIC is a monthly payment made to eligible survivors of (1) certain veterans who died due to a service-connected condition; (2) service members killed in the line of duty; or (3) veterans who were totally disabled by a service-connected disability for a certain period. The bill expands eligibility for loans under the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) home loan program to certain members of the reserve components and National Guard by expanding what qualifies as active duty. The bill includes annual training duty as qualifying active duty and grants eligibility for VA loan guarantees after 14 days of active-duty service (with an additional fee). Under the VA home loan program, the bill extends certain loan fee rates through September 30, 2036, and increases the fees for certain refinancing loans and loan assumptions. The bill extends the limitation on pension amounts for certain hospitalized or institutionalized veterans through September 30, 2036.

To require the Secretary of Defense to conduct a study on members of the Armed Forces who separated from the Armed Forces due to the mandate to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and the transfer of education benefits by such members, and for other purposes.

The Department of Defense would be required to study military members who left the Armed Forces because of COVID-19 vaccine requirements, including how many separated and what happened to their education benefits. The study would examine whether these former service members were able to transfer their unused education benefits to family members or use them for their own education. This would help Congress understand the scope of separations related to vaccine mandates and the financial impact on affected military families.

ARCA Act of 2025

The bill would reorganize how the Department of Veterans Affairs buys goods and services, and would create a new leadership position called the Director of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation to help the department manage spending and evaluate whether its programs are working effectively. These changes aim to make the VA's purchasing process more efficient and help the department make better decisions about how it spends money on veteran services and benefits.

Veterans Community Care Scheduling Improvement Act

Veterans Community Care Scheduling Improvement Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement an electronic process for scheduling health care appointments furnished by the VA or through the Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP) and extends an existing limitation on certain pensions. Under the bill, the VA must implement the electronic process not later than two years after the enactment of this bill. The VA must implement a mandatory training program for VA schedulers or other employees involved in scheduling appointments regarding guidelines for the implementation of the electronic process. Additionally, the VA must prescribe performance benchmarks and outcome-based metrics for the electronic process. The VA must also implement an outreach strategy to encourage non-VA health care providers participating in the VCCP to participate in the electronic process. Under current law, the pension paid to veterans who reside in Medicaid nursing homes and have no spouse or child is limited to $90 a month through January 31, 2033. The bill extends this limitation through June 30, 2033.

CRUISE Act

The CRUISE Act likely addresses military readiness, operations, or personnel matters within the armed forces, though the specific policy details would depend on the bill's actual provisions. Based on its status in committee review, it appears to be a defense-related measure that lawmakers are evaluating for potential passage. The bill would affect military personnel, defense operations, or national security procedures once enacted.

2026 Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iran

This proposal would give the President legal authority to use military force against Iran if he determines it necessary, without requiring a separate declaration of war from Congress. The authorization would apply to military operations related to Iran's government, military, or designated terrorist organizations. This type of measure allows the executive branch to conduct military actions while still involving Congress in the decision, though it gives the President significant flexibility in how and when to use that authority.

To exempt stinger-steered combinations from a requirement to include warning flags on projecting loads.

Trucks that use a special steering system called "stinger steering" would no longer be required to display warning flags on cargo that sticks out beyond the vehicle's normal width or length. Currently, all vehicles carrying loads that extend past their sides or rear must use flags to alert other drivers to the hazard. This change would apply specifically to the trucking industry and companies that operate these specialized vehicles.

Prevent Endless Wars Act

The proposal would limit the president's ability to wage military operations without getting approval from Congress first, requiring lawmakers to vote on any major military action rather than letting the president act alone. This would affect military personnel, defense contractors, and taxpayers by giving Congress more say over when and where the U.S. military fights overseas. The bill aims to restore Congress's constitutional power to declare war, which has been sidelined for decades as presidents have launched military campaigns on their own authority.

Cold War Military Force Repeal Act

The legislation would repeal two Cold War-era authorizations that allow the President to use military force against communist countries without getting a new approval from Congress. This would require the President to seek fresh congressional authorization before taking military action in situations covered by those old Cold War laws, giving lawmakers a say in modern military decisions rather than relying on decades-old permissions.

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to the duration of authorizations of the use of force.

This proposed constitutional amendment would require Congress to renew its approval for military operations every few years rather than allowing a single authorization to last indefinitely. Currently, the military can operate under decades-old congressional approvals, but this change would force lawmakers to regularly vote on whether to continue specific military missions. The amendment would affect military personnel, defense policy, and Congress's power to control when and how the U.S. military fights overseas.

War Powers Priority Procedures Modernization Act

This legislation would update the procedures Congress uses to authorize military actions and oversee the President's war powers, making the process more efficient for modern conflicts. The changes would affect how quickly Congress can debate and vote on military decisions, potentially giving lawmakers clearer timelines and procedures for approving or rejecting military operations. The bill is currently being reviewed by the Foreign Affairs and Rules committees to determine which parts fall under each committee's authority.

Safety in Shared Skies Act of 2026

This bill would establish rules and safety standards for military and civilian aircraft operating in the same airspace, aiming to prevent collisions and accidents between military jets, helicopters, and commercial planes. The legislation likely requires the military and Federal Aviation Administration to coordinate better on flight paths, communication systems, and emergency procedures to protect both military personnel and civilian passengers and crews. It affects military pilots, commercial airlines, air traffic controllers, and anyone who flies in U.S. airspace.

Care Over Profits Act of 2026

This bill would likely impose new regulations on health insurance companies and healthcare providers to prioritize patient care over financial profits, though the specific measures are not yet detailed in the referred version. The changes could affect how insurance companies make coverage decisions, how much patients pay out of pocket, or how hospitals and doctors are paid for their services. Patients, healthcare workers, insurance companies, and employers who provide health benefits would all be impacted by whatever restrictions or requirements the final bill includes.

Stop ACA Enrollment Fraud Act of 2026

This bill would add new safeguards and penalties to prevent people from fraudulently signing up for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace or improperly claiming subsidies they don't qualify for. It would affect both individuals applying for coverage and the government agencies responsible for managing the health insurance program. The bill aims to reduce waste and ensure that financial assistance goes only to people who genuinely meet eligibility requirements.

Housing for Our Hometown Heroes Act

Based on the title and referral to the Financial Services Committee, this bill likely aims to help veterans or military service members afford housing by creating new loan programs, down payment assistance, or other financial incentives. The measure would probably make it easier for former service members to buy homes by reducing barriers like high upfront costs or strict credit requirements. Veterans and their families would be the primary beneficiaries of these housing assistance programs.

First Look for First-time Homebuyers Act of 2026

This bill would give first-time homebuyers a period of time to make an offer on certain properties before other buyers can bid on them, helping people without prior home-buying experience compete in the housing market. The policy aims to make homeownership more accessible by reducing competition from investors and experienced buyers during an initial window. The bill has been sent to the House Financial Services Committee for review.

Take Your Rate Act of 2026

Without specific subjects listed, this bill likely addresses interest rates or pricing in some financial context, though the exact focus is unclear. The vague title "Take Your Rate" could relate to consumer lending, mortgage rates, credit card rates, or another financial product where customers choose or lock in rates. Once the House Committee on Financial Services reviews it, the bill's actual purpose and who it affects—whether borrowers, lenders, or financial institutions—should become clearer.

First-time Homebuyer Savings Account Act of 2026

This bill would create special savings accounts that allow first-time homebuyers to set aside money tax-free to use toward purchasing their first home, similar to how retirement accounts work. People could contribute to these accounts and withdraw the savings without paying taxes on the earnings, making it easier to save for a down payment. The accounts would help younger and lower-income Americans afford to buy homes by reducing the tax burden on their savings.

Home Affordability for Guard and Reserve Act

This bill would help members of the National Guard and military reserves buy homes by making it easier for them to qualify for mortgages and potentially offering financial assistance for down payments or closing costs. The measure recognizes that Guard and Reserve members often have irregular income and employment patterns that can make traditional home loans difficult to obtain, even though they serve their country. The bill aims to remove barriers that prevent these part-time military personnel from achieving homeownership.

Time to Heal Act

Without access to the bill's specific text, this legislation appears to address tax policy, though the exact provisions are unclear from the title alone. Based on the referral to the House Ways and Means Committee, it likely proposes changes to federal tax law that could affect individuals, businesses, or specific industries, but the concrete details of what those changes would be cannot be determined without reviewing the actual bill language.

Next-Gen Collision Avoidance Act

This bill would likely establish or update safety standards for collision avoidance technology in vehicles, requiring manufacturers to install advanced systems that automatically detect and prevent crashes. The rules would apply to cars, trucks, and possibly other vehicles sold in the United States, aiming to reduce traffic accidents and save lives by making newer safety features mandatory rather than optional.

Military ADS–B Out Loophole Act

This bill would close a gap in federal aviation rules that currently allows military aircraft to avoid installing the same collision-avoidance tracking systems that commercial planes must use. The change would make military planes broadcast their location to air traffic control and other aircraft just like civilian flights do, improving safety in shared airspace. The bill affects the Department of Defense and military aviation operations.

To amend the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to prohibit the Council of the District of Columbia from enacting any law to permit euthanasia and assisted suicide in the District of Columbia, and for other purposes.

This bill would prevent Washington, D.C.'s city council from legalizing euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide, overriding local authority on this medical and end-of-life care issue. The measure would restrict D.C. residents' ability to access these practices even if the city government wanted to permit them, affecting patients, doctors, and local policymaking in the nation's capital.

Make It Count Act

Without access to the bill's specific text, this legislation appears to address government operations and political processes, likely aimed at improving how federal agencies or electoral systems function. The bill has been sent to committees that handle government oversight and legal matters, suggesting it may involve reforms to government accountability, voting procedures, or how federal agencies operate. To understand the concrete changes it would make, the actual bill text would need to be reviewed.

TRANSPORT Jobs Act

Transitioning Retiring And New Service Members to Port Ocean Rail and Truck Jobs Act or the TRANSPORT Jobs Act This bill requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to develop and make public the Veteran to Supply Chain Employee Action Plan. Among other elements, the plan must identify (1) barriers and challenges of members of the Armed Forces who are eligible for counseling under the Transition Assistance Program and veterans in searching or training for employment in the supply chain industry, and (2) challenges that supply chain employers face when recruiting, hiring, or retaining veterans and such members of the Armed Forces. The plan must also recommend specific short- and long-term actions that DOT, the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, or the Department of Labor can take to help veterans and such members of the Armed Forces in becoming supply chain employees.