Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ)
To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for an annual increase in the rates of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of certain disabled veterans, and for other purposes.
A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
H.R. 6027 proposes to amend title 38 of the United States Code to establish an annual increase for specific Department of Veterans Affairs payments. Starting December 1 of each year, the Secretary will increase disability compensation and dependency and indemnity compensation rates. These increases will match the percentage increase used for Social Security Act title II benefits. The bill covers wartime disability compensation, dependent compensation, clothing allowances, and compensation for surviving spouses and children. The Secretary is also required to publish these adjusted rates in the Federal Register.
Yes· 3 of 15
- Scored +10
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?
Directly increases compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities.
- Scored +10
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?
Directly establishes automatic annual cost-of-living increases for disability and survivor benefits.
- Scored +7
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?
Increases payments specifically for those with service-connected disabilities.
The opposite· 3 of 4
- Scored -5
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill mandates annual increases in compensation payments, which increases government expenditures.
- Scored -3
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?
Creates a permanent, automatic increase in spending tied to Social Security adjustments.
- Scored -2
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?
Annual increases in VA payments will increase federal spending, potentially increasing the national debt.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Annual Payment Increases: Veterans and survivors will see their compensation amounts increase every year on December 1, as outlined in Section 1(a).
- Wartime Disability Compensation: People receiving payments under section 1114 will receive an annual increase, according to Section 1(b)(1).
- Support for Dependents: Those receiving additional compensation for dependents under section 1115(1) will see their payments increase per Section 1(b)(2).
- Clothing Allowance: Individuals receiving the clothing allowance under section 1162 will have that amount increased under Section 1(b)(3).
- Survivor Benefits for Spouses: Surviving spouses receiving dependency and indemnity compensation under subsections (a) through (d) of section 1311 will receive annual increases per Section 1(b)(4).
- Survivor Benefits for Children: Children receiving dependency and indemnity compensation under sections 1313(a) and 1314 will see their payments increase per Section 1(b)(5).
- Consistent Adjustments: Benefits will increase by the same percentage as Social Security Act title II benefits, as specified in Section 1(c).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts for individuals or groups are explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — Directly increases compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — Increases payments specifically for those with service-connected disabilities. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Provides essential inflation protection for veterans who rely on disability compensation as a primary income source. Would retired people be better off under this? — Retired veterans will see their disability compensation payments grow annually. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Many senior veterans will benefit from an annual inflation-adjusted increase in their compensation. Would women be better off under this? — Surviving spouses, many of whom are women, will receive annual increases in indemnity compensation. Would children be better off under this? — Children of disabled veterans receiving dependency and indemnity compensation will see benefit increases. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Increases total household income for middle-class veterans.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — Increases financial support for veterans with service-connected disabilities. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Annual inflation-adjusted increases prevent the erosion of purchasing power for disabled veterans and survivors. Is this likely to reduce homelessness? — Increased financial stability for disabled veterans can reduce the risk of homelessness.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — Increased payments to veterans provide more disposable income, which can marginally stimulate economic activity. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill mandates annual increases in compensation payments, which increases government expenditures. Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — Creates a permanent, automatic increase in spending tied to Social Security adjustments. Does this reduce what the federal government owes? — Annual increases in VA payments will increase federal spending, potentially increasing the national debt.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — Directly establishes automatic annual cost-of-living increases for disability and survivor benefits. Does this reduce what is spent on the military? — Increases expenditures related to veteran care and compensation.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Requires the Secretary to publish adjusted rates in the Federal Register.
- Healthcare
- Does this help veterans get medical care? — Increased disability compensation helps veterans afford healthcare-related expenses.
- 11/17/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
- 11/12/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Don BaconRepublican · Nebraska