[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 44 (Monday, March 22, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H2184-H2185]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
VETERANS' COMPENSATION COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT ACT OF 2010
Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 4667) to increase, effective as of December 1, 2010, 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, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 4667
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 ``Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-
Living Adjustment Act of 2010''.
SEC. 2. INCREASE IN RATES OF DISABILITY COMPENSATION AND
DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION.
(a) Rate Adjustment.--Effective on December 1, 2010, the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall increase, in accordance
with subsection (c), the dollar amounts in effect on November
30, 2010, for the payment of disability compensation and
dependency and indemnity compensation under the provisions
specified in subsection (b).
(b) Amounts To Be Increased.--The dollar amounts to be
increased pursuant to subsection (a) are the following:
(1) Wartime disability compensation.--Each of the dollar
amounts under section 1114 of title 38, United States Code.
(2) Additional compensation for dependents.--Each of the
dollar amounts under section 1115(1) of such title.
(3) Clothing allowance.--The dollar amount under section
1162 of such title.
(4) Dependency and indemnity compensation to surviving
spouse.--Each of the dollar amounts under subsections (a)
through (d) of section 1311 of such title.
(5) Dependency and indemnity compensation to children.--
Each of the dollar amounts under sections 1313(a) and 1314 of
such title.
(c) Determination of Increase.--
[[Page H2185]]
(1) Percentage.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), each
dollar amount described in subsection (b) 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, 2010,
as a result of a determination under section 215(i) of such
Act (42 U.S.C. 415(i)).
(2) Rounding.--Each dollar amount increased under paragraph
(1), if not a whole dollar amount, shall be rounded to the
next lower whole dollar amount.
(d) Special Rule.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may
adjust administratively, consistent with the increases made
under subsection (a), the rates of disability compensation
payable to persons under section 10 of Public Law 85-857 (72
Stat. 1263) who have not received compensation under chapter
11 of title 38, United States Code.
SEC. 3. PUBLICATION OF ADJUSTED RATES.
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall publish in the
Federal Register the amounts specified in section 2(b), as
increased under that section, not later than the date on
which 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 2011.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Filner) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Stearns)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise in support of this bill which ensures that hard-earned
benefits for disabled veterans and their surviving family members keep
pace with their living expenses. This bill, like the last, was
introduced by Mr. Perriello of Virginia. It will benefit each disabled
veteran or survivor from the World War I era through the conflicts in
Iraq and Afghanistan.
I yield to the hardworking, active, and committed Mr. Perriello for
an explanation of the bill.
Mr. PERRIELLO. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and Madam Speaker. Today I
rise in support of H.R. 4667, the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living
Adjustment Act of 2010, a bill that I was proud to introduce in support
of America's veterans.
Over 140 years ago, President Lincoln called upon our Nation ``to
care for him, who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and
his orphan.'' This charge is as compelling today as it was in 1865. It
underscores the important role that our veterans play in defending our
freedoms and the obligation we all have as a Nation to provide our
brave veterans the care they need once returning home.
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H.R. 4667, the Veterans Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of
2010, will provide an increase to the rates of basic compensation for
disabled veterans and the rates of dependency and indemnity
compensation to their survivors and dependents, along with other
benefits, in order to keep pace with the rising cost of living. The
disability COLA would become effective December 1, 2010, and will be
equal to that provided on an annual basis to Social Security
recipients.
In these challenging economic times, our disabled veterans depend
upon these tax-free payments not only to provide for their own basic
needs, but for those of their spouses, children, and parents as well.
Without an annual COLA increase, these veterans and their families
would see the value of their hard-earned benefits slowly erode. We
would be derelict in our duty if we failed to guarantee that those who
sacrificed so much for this country receive benefits and services that
fail to keep pace with their needs.
Doing right by veterans must always be a top priority for Congress. I
believe that passage of this bill will send a clear message of support
to those who wear the uniform of the United States military, a message
that says we will never forget your service and sacrifice and that a
grateful Nation will take care of you when you return from the front
lines of freedom.
I urge my colleagues to support this bill on behalf of this Nation's
veterans and continue the bipartisan support that we showed in the
committee.
Mr. FILNER. Thank you, Mr. Perriello, and again I want to thank you
for your service to our Nation's veterans.
I reserve the balance of our time.
Mr. STEARNS. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4667, the
Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living-Adjustment Act of 2010. This
legislation would increase, effective December 1, 2010, the rates of
compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the
rate of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of
certain disabled veterans, and for other purposes.
Now, this COLA adjustment includes veterans disability compensation,
additional compensation for dependents, clothing allowance, dependency
and indemnity compensation to surviving spouses and their children.
This is an important annual authorization which provides much needed
assistance to our Nation's veterans, and, obviously, I encourage all my
colleagues to support the bill.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers and am prepared
to close.
Mr. STEARNS. Madam Speaker, I'd like to thank my House colleagues,
Mr. Hall of New York, chairman of the Disability Assistance and
Memorial Affairs Subcommittee, and Mr. Lamborn of Colorado, the ranking
member of the subcommittee, as well as the House bill sponsor, Mr.
Perriello of Virginia, for their leadership on H.R. 4667. I also thank
Chairman Filner and the ranking member, Mr. Buyer, for advancing this
bill. I urge my colleagues to support it.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, just like our military men and women did
not hesitate to offer to lay down their lives to defend our freedom and
the way of life that we cherish, we will not hesitate to defend the
funds necessary to support themselves and their families.
General Leave
Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on H.R. 4667.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Mr. FILNER. I urge my colleagues to support the COLA bill, H.R. 4667.
I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Filner) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, HR. 4667.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
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