[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.
____________________