HR 6047: A Step Forward for Some Vets, But at What Cost?

Heya people, HR 6047—the Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act of 2025—sounds great on paper. It proposes boosting disability compensation by $10,000 annually for severely injured vets needing aid and attendance, like those with traumatic brain injuries or paralysis, and hikes survivor payments (DIC) by 1% yearly for five years, impacting over 500,000 families. This would mark the first significant SMC increase in over two decades, a real win for our most catastrophically wounded brothers and sisters who’ve sacrificed everything.

But here’s the rub: to fund this $7 billion expansion, Republicans want less-disabled vets (70% rating or below) to pay VA loan funding fees on second homes—fees they’ve been exempt from for 80 years, averaging $13,000-$17,000 per loan (or $35/month baked in). That’s a dangerous precedent, pitting one group of disabled vets against another instead of making billionaires or war profiteers foot the bill. Democrats and groups like the VFW are pushing back hard, arguing it breaks a sacred promise earned in blood.

Take Action: Contact Congress Now
This bill’s in committee—your voice can kill the bad part. Call, email, or tweet your reps to demand full funding without screwing over disabled vets on mortgages.

Sample Opposition Letter
Copy-paste this into your rep’s contact form (personalize with your details):

Subject: Oppose HR 6047’s VA Loan Fee Hike on Disabled Veterans

Dear Representative/Senator Last Name,

As a veteran/concerned constituent from your city/state, I urge you to oppose H.R. 6047 unless its funding mechanism is changed. While the disability compensation increases for severely wounded vets and survivors are overdue and vital, financing them by charging VA loan funding fees to veterans rated 70% disabled or less on subsequent primary residence loans is wrong.

For 80 years, all service-connected disabled vets have been exempt from these fees—a promise earned through sacrifice. This bill breaks that precedent, burdens mobility-challenged families with $13,000+ costs amid a housing crisis, and divides vets against each other. Find real funding from corporate tax loopholes, not from those already injured serving our country.

Reject this offset and pass benefits expansion without cuts elsewhere. Thank you for standing with ALL veterans.

Sincerely,
Your Full Name
Your Address
Your Phone/Email
Veteran Status, if applicable

Find Your Reps and Senators
• House Rep: Go to house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative, enter your ZIP code for their site, phone, and contact form.

• Senators: Visit senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm, select your state, or use congress.gov/members/find-your-member with your address.

• All-in-One: Try usa.gov/elected-officials for federal contacts by ZIP. Call the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 to connect directly.