[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 6 (Thursday, January 11, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E80]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




INTRODUCTION OF THE VETERANS DISABILITY COMPENSATION AUTOMATIC COLA ACT

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                          HON. JOE KNOLLENBERG

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 11, 2007

  Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Madam Speaker, today I am introducing an important 
piece of legislation that speaks to our commitment to our Nation's 
veterans.
  In the 109th Congress, I introduced the Veterans Disability 
Compensation Automatic COLA Act. This legislation would automatically 
increase disability benefits for veterans, each year, by the Consumer 
Price Index. Today I am re-introducing this important legislation.
  Currently, it takes a yearly act by Congress to ensure disabled 
veterans receive a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). While we have done 
this every year for the past three decades we cannot guarantee that 
future Congresses will act as responsibly. Taking a chance on disabled 
veterans' benefits is a chance I am not willing to take.
  My legislation would simply make the COLA for veterans with 
disability benefits automatic each year. Furthermore, this important 
legislation also has no budgetary impact. In fact, both Congress and 
the President assume the increase in their budgets.
  Madam Speaker, Social Security and Medicare beneficiaries receive an 
automatic COLA and our disabled veterans deserve the same. Thank you.

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