A bill in Congress would significantly increase the amount of disability compensation awarded to veterans with catastrophic injuries and survivors, but lawmakers are sparring over how to cover its estimated $7 billion cost.

The Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act, HR 6047, would raise the amount of disability compensation provided to these families by $10,000 a year and increase payments for survivors by 1% each year for five years.

According to bill sponsor Rep. Tom Barrett, R-Mich., the boost would be the first non-inflation-related increase for these families since 1993 and would help families whose lives were upended by combat deaths or life-changing injuries.

“This bill is something that is long overdue and something we are going to continue to work on.

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