[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 25 (Thursday, March 2, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E264]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT FOR H.R. 4843, VETERANS' COMPENSATION COST-OF-
                     LIVING ADJUSTMENT ACT OF 2006

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 2, 2006

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, as chairman of the Subcommittee 
on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs of the Veterans' Affairs 
Committee, I am proud to introduce H.R. 4843, the Veterans' 
Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2006.
  The Subcommittee's Ranking Member, Shelley Berkley, as well as full 
Committee Chairman Steve Buyer and Ranking Member Lane Evans, join me 
as original cosponsors of the bill.
  H.R. 4843 would provide a cost-of-living adjustment to veterans' 
benefits effective December 1, 2006. This would affect more than 2.9 
million service-connected veterans and survivors of service-connected 
veterans.
  The VA Committee periodically reviews the service-connected 
disability and dependency and indemnity 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 veterans' 
compensation and survivor benefits.
  Mr. Speaker, Congress has provided increases in these rates for every 
fiscal year since 1976. The Administration's fiscal year 2007 budget 
submission includes funding for a projected 2.6 percent increase.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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