[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 58 (Thursday, April 10, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E723]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


      VETERANS' COMPENSATION COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT ACT OF 2003

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                       HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 9, 2003

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to introduce H.R. 
1683, the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2003. 
Veterans' Affairs Committee Ranking Member Lane Evans, as well as the 
Chairman and Ranking Member of the Benefits Subcommittee, Henry Brown 
and Michael Michaud, respectively, join me as original cosponsors of 
the bill. H.R. 1683 would provide a cost-of-living adjustment to 
veterans' benefits, effective December 1, 2003.
  The VA Committee periodically reviews the service-connected 
disability compensation and dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) 
programs to ensure that the benefits provide reasonable and adequate 
compensation for disabled veterans and their families. Based on this 
review, Congress acts annually to provide a cost-of-living adjustment 
in compensation and DIC benefits.
  Mr. Speaker, Congress has provided increases in these rates for every 
fiscal year since 1976. The Administration's fiscal year 2004 budget 
submission, as well as the House Budget Resolution, includes funding 
for an increase that is currently estimated to be 2.0 percent.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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