[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 150 (Friday, October 31, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H9835-H9837]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      VETERANS' COMPENSATION COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT ACT OF 1997

  Mr. STUMP. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent for the immediate 
consideration in the House of the bill (H.R. 2367) to increase, 
effective as of December 1, 1997, 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.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Arizona?
  There was no objection.
  The Clerk read the bill, as follows:

                               H.R. 2367

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans' Compensation Cost-
     of-Living Adjustment Act of 1997''.

     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, 1997, 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 sections 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 disability.--The dollar amounts in 
     effect under sections 1311(c) and 1311(d) of such title.
       (7) DIC for dependent children.--The dollar amounts in 
     effect under sections 1313(a) and 1314 of such title.
       (c) Determination of Increase.--(1) The increase under 
     subsection (a) shall be made in the dollar amounts specified 
     in subsection (b) as in effect on November 30, 1997.
       (2) Except as provided in paragraph (3), 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, 1997, as a result of a determination under 
     section 215(i) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 415(i)).
       (3) Each dollar amount increased pursuant to paragraph (2) 
     shall, if not a whole dollar amount, be rounded down 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.
       (e) 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 1997, the Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs shall publish in the Federal Register the 
     amounts specified in subsection (b), as increased pursuant to 
     subsection (a).


      Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute Offered by Mr. Stump

  Mr. STUMP. Madam Speaker, I offer an amendment in the nature of a 
substitute.
  The Clerk read as follows:

       Amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by Mr. 
     Stump: Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert in 
     lieu thereof the following:

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; REFERENCES TO TITLE 38, UNITED STATES 
                   CODE.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans' 
     Compensation Rate Amendments of 1997''.
       (b) References.--Except as otherwise expressly provided, 
     whenever in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in 
     terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other 
     provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a 
     section or other provision of title 38, United States Code.

     SEC. 2. DISABILITY COMPENSATION.

       (a) Increase in Rates.--Section 1114 is amended--
       (1) by striking out ``$87'' in subsection (a) and inserting 
     in lieu thereof ``$95'';
       (2) by striking out ``$166'' in subsection (b) and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``$182'';
       (3) by striking out ``$253'' in subsection (c) and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``$279'';
       (4) by striking out ``$361'' in subsection (d) and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``$399'';
       (5) by striking out ``$515'' in subsection (e) and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``$569'';
       (6) by striking out ``$648'' in subsection (f) and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``$717'';
       (7) by striking out ``$819'' in subsection (g) and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``$905'';
       (8) by striking out ``$948'' in subsection (h) and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``$1,049'';
       (9) by striking out ``$1,067'' in subsection (i) and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``$1,181'';
       (10) by striking out ``$1,774'' in subsection (j) and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``$1,964'';
       (11) in subsection (k)--
       (A) by striking out ``$70'' both places it appears and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``$75''; and
       (B) by striking out ``$2,207'' and $3,093'' and inserting 
     in lieu thereof ``$2,443'' and ``$3,426'', respectively;
       (12) by striking out ``$2,207'' in subsection (l) and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``$2,443'';
       (13) by striking out ``$2,432'' in subsection (m) and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``$2,694'';
       (14) by striking out ``$2,768'' in subsection (n) and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``$3,066'';
       (15) by striking out ``$3,093'' each place it appears in 
     subsections (o) and (p) and inserting in lieu thereof 
     ``$3,426'';
       (16) by striking out ``$1,328'' and ``$1,978'' in 
     subsection (r) and inserting in lieu thereof ``$1,471'' and 
     ``$2,190'', respectively; and
       (17) by striking out ``$1,985'' in subsection (s) and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``$2,199''.
       (b) Special Rule.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may 
     authorize administratively, consistent with the increases 
     authorized by this section, the rates of disability 
     compensation payable to persons within the purview of section 
     10 of Public Law 85-857 who are not in receipt of 
     compensation payable pursuant to chapter 11 of title 38, 
     United States Code.

     SEC. 3. ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION FOR DEPENDENTS.

       Section 1115(1) is amended--
       (1) by striking out ``$105'' in clause (A) and inserting in 
     lieu thereof ``$114'';
       (2) by striking out ``$178'' and ``$55'' in clause (B) and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``$195'' and ``$60'', respectively;
       (3) by striking out ``$72'' and ``$55'' in clause (C) and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``$78'' and ``$60'', respectively;
       (4) by striking out ``$84'' in clause (D) and inserting in 
     lieu thereof ``$92'';
       (5) by striking out ``$195'' in clause (E) and inserting in 
     lieu thereof ``$215''; and
       (6) by striking out ``$164'' in clause (F) and inserting in 
     lieu thereof ``$180''.

     SEC. 4. CLOTHING ALLOWANCE FOR CERTAIN DISABLED VETERANS.

       Section 1162 is amended by striking out ``$478'' and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``$528.''

     SEC. 5. DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION FOR SURVIVING 
                   SPOUSES.

       (a) New Law Rates.--Section 1311(a) is amended--
       (1) by striking out ``$769'' in paragraph (1) and inserting 
     in lieu thereof ``$850''; and
       (2) by striking out ``$169'' in paragraph (2) and inserting 
     in lieu thereof ``$185''.
       (b) Old Law Rates.--The table in subsection (a)(3) is 
     amended to read as follows:

                                                                Monthly
``Pay grade                                                        rate
    E-1............................................................$850
    E-2.............................................................850
    E-3.............................................................850
    E-4.............................................................850
    E-5.............................................................850
    E-6.............................................................850
    E-7.............................................................879
    E-8.............................................................928
    E-9.........................................................\1\ 968
    W-1.............................................................898
    W-2.............................................................934
    W-3.............................................................962
    W-4...........................................................1,017
    O-1.............................................................898
    O-2.............................................................928
    O-3.............................................................992
    O-4...........................................................1,049
    O-5...........................................................1,155
    O-6...........................................................1,302
    O-7...........................................................1,406
    O-8...........................................................1,541
    O-9...........................................................1,651

[[Page H9836]]

    O-10......................................................\2\ 1,811

``\1\ If the veteran served as sergeant major of the Army, senior 
enlisted advisor of the Navy, chief master sergeant of the Air Force, 
sergeant major of the Marine Corps, or master chief petty officer of 
the Coast Guard, at the applicable time designated by section 402 of 
this title, the surviving spouse's rate shall be $1,044.
``\2\ If the veteran served as Chairman or Vice-Chairman of the Joint 
Chiefs of Staff, Chief of Staff of the Army, Chief of Naval Operations, 
Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Commandant of the Marine Corps, or 
Commandant of the Coast Guard, at the applicable time designated by 
section 402 of this title, the surviving spouse's rate shall be 
$1,941.'';

       (c) Additional DIC for Children.--Section 1311(b) is 
     amended by striking out ``$100'' and all that follows and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``$215 for each such child.''.
       (d) Aid and Attendance Allowance.--Section 1311(c) is 
     amended by striking out ``$195'' and inserting in lieu 
     thereof ``$215''.
       (e) Housebound Rate.--Section 1311(d) is amended by 
     striking out ``$95'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``$104''.

     SEC. 6. DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION FOR CHILDREN.

       (a) DIC for Orphan Children.--Section 1313(a) is amended--
       (1) by striking out ``$327'' in paragraph (1) and inserting 
     in lieu thereof ``$361'';
       (2) by striking out ``$471'' in paragraph (2) and inserting 
     in lieu thereof ``$520'';
       (3) by striking out ``$610'' in paragraph (3) and inserting 
     in lieu thereof ``$675''; and
       (4) by striking out ``$610'' and ``$120'' in paragraph (4) 
     and inserting in lieu thereof ``$675'' and ``$132'', 
     respectively.
       (b) Supplemental DIC for Disabled Adult Children.--Section 
     1314 is amended--
       (1) by striking out ``$195'' in subsection (a) and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``$215'';
       (2) by striking out ``$327'' in subsection (b) and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``$361'';
       (3) by striking out ``$166'' in subsection (c) and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``$182''.

     SEC. 7. EFFECTIVE DATE.

       The amendments made by this Act shall take effect on 
     December 1, 1997.

  Mr. STUMP (during the reading). Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous 
consent that the amendment in the nature of a substitute be considered 
as read and printed in the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Arizona?
  There was no objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Arizona [Mr. Stump] is 
recognized for 1 hour.
  Mr. STUMP. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 minutes to the gentleman from 
Illinois [Mr. Evans], pending which I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, H.R. 2367, as amended, is the cost of living amendment 
or the COLA bill. The bill increases the rate of compensation for 
veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rate of dependency 
and indemnity compensation for the survivors of certain veterans. The 
rate of increase would follow Social Security Administration figures 
and be effective December 1, 1997.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. EVANS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman of the committee for introducing 
this important legislation. I strongly support this bill, which 
maintains the value of the compensation benefits received by our-
service-connected disabled veterans and their families. Because the 
Nation's economy is strong and the rate of inflation is low, this 
year's cost of living increase for veterans receiving compensation is 
correspondingly modest.
  Specifically, this legislation codifies a 2.1-percent increase in 
service-connected compensation benefits. By enacting this bill, we are 
keeping our promise to our veterans with service-connected 
disabilities. The 2.1 percent VA compensation cost of living increase 
provided by this bill is the same rate of increase being provided to 
beneficiaries of Social Security. I urge my colleagues to support this 
measure.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. STUMP. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from New York [Mr. Quinn], the chairman of the Subcommittee 
on Benefits, for a further clarification of H.R. 2367.
  Mr. QUINN. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this 
time.
  Madam Speaker, this afternoon I join the gentleman from Arizona [Mr. 
Stump] and the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Evans] to pass H.R. 2367, a 
bill that would provide a cost of living increase to 2.3 million 
veterans who are in receipt of service-connected disability 
compensation and nearly 330,000 survivors receiving dependency 
indemnity compensation, DIC. The bill would increase these benefits by 
2.1 percent, the same percentage as given to Social Security 
recipients. I would also note that all the DIC recipients will get a 
full COLA.
  Finally, the bill codifies the 1998 rates in title 38. Madam Speaker, 
this bill demonstrates the Congress's continuing commitment to keeping 
veterans benefits in line with the cost of living. This means that 
disabled veterans and their survivors will be able to maintain their 
standard of living. The extra money for dependents and clothing 
allowances will also make a positive contribution.
  Madam Speaker, our disabled veterans represent the finest this Nation 
has to offer. They made a commitment to the Nation and we are keeping 
our commitment to them.
  Finally, Madam Speaker, I want to thank and compliment the gentleman 
from California [Mr. Filner], our ranking member on the subcommittee, 
as well as the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Rodriguez] for their help 
throughout the hearings.
  Mr. EVANS. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Texas [Mr. Rodriguez], a member of the committee.
  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Madam Speaker, I want to first of all take this 
opportunity to congratulate the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Evans], 
the gentleman from New York [Mr. Quinn], and the gentleman from Arizona 
[Mr. Stump] for their efforts and leadership in this particular area.
  I rise today in strong support of this bill to increase veterans 
disability payments. From December 1, 1997, all 2.3 million veterans 
and 307,000 survivors receiving compensation payments will see the 
amount of their disability check increase by 2.1 percent. The boost 
cannot come any sooner. Today we find many of our Nation's veterans and 
their families living from paycheck to paycheck. The least we can do 
for these individuals is to provide them with this opportunity and 
these cost of living increases. That is the right thing to do, 
especially after they have given to this country as much as they have.
  I want to thank again the members of the committee for their efforts.
  Mr. STUMP. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I would like to thank the gentleman from New York [Mr. Quinn] and the 
gentleman from California [Mr. Filner], the chairman and ranking member 
of the Subcommittee on Benefits, as well as the gentleman from Illinois 
[Mr. Evans], the ranking member of the full committee, for all their 
support on this bill. Their efforts are greatly appreciated by all the 
veterans.
  Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, we who serve as members of the Committee 
on Veterans' Affairs have many responsibilities. Our primary 
commitment, however, is to those men and women who are disabled while 
serving on active duty in America's Armed Forces and to their families. 
Accordingly, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2367, the Veterans' 
Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 1997.
  Under this measure, more than 2\1/2\ million service-disabled 
veterans nationwide, and their surviving spouses, will receive an 
increase in their disability-related benefits on December 1 of this 
year. In the great State of California alone, more than 220,000 
veterans injured in service to our country will receive this enhanced 
benefit.
  I am privileged to serve on the Veterans' Affairs Committee and to 
work on behalf of those whose sacrifices have protected the freedoms on 
which our Nation is founded. We, as free men and women, owe a unique 
debt to our veterans, and I urge my colleagues to join me in fulfilling 
this special obligation by supporting H.R. 2367.
  Mr. STEARNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 
2367, the Veterans' Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act, which was introduced 
by Chairman Stump.
  It is fitting and right that our Nation's veterans be given a full 
COLA for fiscal year 1998. The 2.6 million veterans who receive 
disability compensation are entitled to this increase in their 
benefits. After all, these benefits were earned by these men and women 
in service to their country. They deserve to be compensated because in 
many cases their earning capacity was diminished due to injuries 
sustained during their military service.
  Many veterans reside in Florida and I know firsthand how difficult it 
is for many of them to make ends meet. Passage of this bill will offer 
these valiant men and women who served our country a little more 
purchasing power. This

[[Page H9837]]

legislation also provides a partial compensation to the widows and 
children of veterans whose deaths were found to be service-connected. 
This too is fitting and right.
  Again, I commend your leadership on this bill, Chairman Stump, and I 
am pleased to offer my unqualified support for its passage.
  Mr. STUMP. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. EVANS. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. STUMP. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the amendment in the 
nature of a substitute offered by the gentleman from Arizona [Mr. 
Stump].
  The amendment in the nature of a substitute was agreed to.
  The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, was read 
the third time, and passed.
  The title of the bill was amended so as to read: ``A bill to amend 
title 38, United States Code, to provide a cost-of-living adjustment in 
the rates of disability compensation for veterans with service-
connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity 
compensation for survivors of such veterans''.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________