HONOR Gold Star Families Act
Sponsored By: Representative Van Epps
Introduced
Summary
Doubles the death gratuity paid to military survivors to $200,000. It would also create an annual cost-of-living increase tied to the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers.
Show full summary
- Families and survivors: The death gratuity would be set at $200,000 for deaths on or after January 1, 2026, giving survivors a larger immediate payment.
- Annual increases: Beginning January 1, 2027 the payment would rise each year by the percentage change in the CPI‑U from the prior year, with amounts rounded to the nearest $100.
- Department of Defense responsibilities: The Secretary of Defense must publish the adjusted death gratuity amount in the Federal Register every year.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Higher death payment for military survivors
If enacted, survivors of service members who die on or after January 1, 2026 would receive a one-time $200,000 death gratuity instead of $100,000. Starting January 1, 2027, that payment would be increased each year by the percentage the CPI-U rose in the preceding year compared to the prior year, with the result rounded to the nearest $100. The Secretary of Defense would publish the adjusted death gratuity amount in the Federal Register each year.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Van Epps
TN • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]
VA • R
Sponsored 3/12/2026
Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2]
HI • D
Sponsored 3/12/2026
Davis (NC)
NC • D
Sponsored 3/12/2026
Ellzey
TX • R
Sponsored 3/12/2026
Rep. Harrigan, Pat [R-NC-10]
NC • R
Sponsored 3/12/2026
Timmons
SC • R
Sponsored 3/12/2026
Bishop
GA • D
Sponsored 3/12/2026
Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3]
WI • R
Sponsored 3/12/2026
Rose
TN • R
Sponsored 3/12/2026
Rep. James, John [R-MI-10]
MI • R
Sponsored 3/12/2026
Rep. Burchett, Tim [R-TN-2]
TN • R
Sponsored 3/12/2026
Rep. Hurd, Jeff [R-CO-3]
CO • R
Sponsored 3/16/2026
Rep. Mackenzie, Ryan [R-PA-7]
PA • R
Sponsored 3/16/2026
Rep. Barrett, Tom [R-MI-7]
MI • R
Sponsored 3/16/2026
Del. King-Hinds, Kimberlyn [R-MP-At Large]
MP • R
Sponsored 3/16/2026
Rep. Hinson, Ashley [R-IA-2]
IA • R
Sponsored 3/16/2026
Rep. Hamadeh, Abraham J. [R-AZ-8]
AZ • R
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Pfluger
TX • R
Sponsored 4/9/2026
LaLota
NY • R
Sponsored 4/9/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov