[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 178 (Friday, November 10, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H12124]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page H 12124]]


      VETERANS' COMPENSATION COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT ACT OF 1995

  Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the 
Speaker's table the bill (H.R. 2394), to increase, effective as of 
December 1, 1995, 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, with a 
Senate amendment thereto, and concur in the Senate amendment.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The Clerk read the Senate amendment, as follows:

       Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert:

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans' Compensation Cost-
     of-Living Adjustment Act of 1995''.

     SEC. 2. INCREASE IN RATES OF DISABILITY COMPENSATION AND 
                   DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION.

       (a) Rate Adjustment.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     shall, effective on December 1, 1995, increase the dollar 
     amounts in effect for the payment of disability compensation 
     and dependency and indemnity compensation by the Secretary, 
     as specified in subsection (b).
       (b) Amounts To Be Increased.--The dollar amounts to be 
     increased pursuant to subsection (a) are the following:
       (1) Compensation.--Each of the dollar amounts in effect 
     under section 1114 of title 38, United States Code.
       (2) Additional compensation for dependents.--Each of the 
     dollar amounts in effect under section 1115(1) of such title.
       (3) Clothing allowance.--The dollar amount in effect under 
     section 1162 of such title.
       (4) New dic rates.--The dollar amounts in effect under 
     paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 1311(a) of such title.
       (5) Old dic rates.--Each of the dollar amounts in effect 
     under section 1311(a)(3) of such title.
       (6) Additional dic for surviving spouses with minor 
     children.--The dollar amount in effect under section 1311(b) 
     of such title.
       (7) Additional dic for disability.--The dollar amounts in 
     effect under sections 1311(c) and 1311(d) of such title.
       (8) DIC for dependent children.--The dollar amounts in 
     effect under sections 1313(a) and 1314 of such title.
       (c) Determination of Percentage Increase.--(1) The increase 
     under subsection (a) shall be made in the dollar amounts 
     specified in subsection (b) as in effect on November 30, 
     1995. Each such amount shall be increased by the same 
     percentage as the percentage by which benefit amounts payable 
     under title II of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401 et 
     seq.) are increased effective December 1, 1995, as a result 
     of a determination under section 215(i) of such Act (42 
     U.S.C. 415(i)).
       (2) In the computation of increased dollar amounts pursuant 
     to paragraph (1), any amount which as so computed is not an 
     even multiple of $1 shall be rounded to the next lower whole 
     dollar amount.
       (d) Special Rule.--The Secretary may adjust 
     administratively, consistent with the increases made under 
     subsection (a), the rates of disability compensation payable 
     to persons within the purview of section 10 of Public Law 85-
     857 (72 Stat. 1263) who are not in receipt of compensation 
     payable pursuant to chapter 11 of title 38, United States 
     Code.

     SEC. 3. PUBLICATION OF ADJUSTED RATES.

       At the same time as the matters specified in section 
     215(i)(2)(D) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
     415(i)(2)(D)) are required to be published by reason of a 
     determination made under section 215(i) of such Act during 
     fiscal year 1996, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
     publish in the Federal Register the amounts specified in 
     section 2(b), as increased pursuant to section 2.

  Mr. STUMP (during the reading). Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent 
that the Senate amendment be considered as read and printed in the 
Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Arizona?
  Mr. MONTGOMERY. Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, I do not 
plan to object, and I yield to the gentleman from Arizona [Mr. Stump] 
for an explanation of his request.
  (Mr. STUMP asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, the only substantive difference is that the 
Senate bill does not include language regarding the basis for the DIC 
COLA.
  This matter will be included in the budget reconciliation bill.
  We are seeking unanimous consent because this bill must be enacted 
quickly.
  The VA needs time to program their computer system so that veterans 
may receive the COLA in the January 1, 1996, benefit checks.
  The Congressional Budget Office has indicated the bill reduces direct 
spending under the pay-as-you-go budget rules.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this bill.
  Mr. MONTGOMERY. Very briefly, the increases that have been mentioned 
by the chairman is 2.6 percent effective for service-connected veterans 
in December. Tomorrow is Veterans Day for all veterans who fought in 
the different wars, and this is for the disabled veterans. It will also 
go to the Gold Star wives, a cost-of-living.
  Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Arizona?
  There was no objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the initial request of 
the gentleman from Arizona?
  There was no objection.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________