[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 72 (Thursday, May 13, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S3720]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. AKAKA:
  S. 3367. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to increase 
the rate of pension for disabled veterans who are married to one 
another and both of whom require regular aid and attendance, and for 
other purposes; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
  Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, as Chairman of the Senate Committee on 
Veterans' Affairs, I introduce legislation today to correct an inequity 
which affects a small number of couples where both the husband and wife 
are wartime veterans and each meets the criteria for VA pension with 
additional aid and attendance benefits. Currently these couples receive 
annual benefits of $30,480. Under my bill, the annual amount would be 
increased by $825 to $31,305.
  This measure would correct a mistake which occurred in 1998 with the 
enactment of Public Law 105-178. Section 8206 of that law increased the 
aid and attendance rates for veterans in receipt of VA pension who were 
in need of aid and attendance. Due to a drafting error, this increase 
was not provided to couples where both members were pension receipients 
in need of aid and attendence. This bill would correct that mistake by 
bringing the pension of a wartime veteran couple eligible for pension 
and aid and attendance into conformity with what their peers receive.
  This is an appropriate result. Both members of such couples served 
our Nation with honor. In their time of need, they should not be short-
changed by this mistake. Although only a small number of veterans 
qualify for this benefit, those who do so often pay large amounts of 
money to receive care in nursing homes, assisted-living facilities, or 
at home. My bill would increase the amounts paid so that each member of 
the couple would have their service taken into account in determining 
the benefit level.
  I urge our colleagues to support this bill so that all veterans who 
served during wartime and are eligible for VA pension receive the same 
benefit payments and no member of a wartime veteran couple is 
shortchanged.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                S. 3367

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. INCREASE IN RATE OF PENSION FOR DISABLED VETERANS 
                   MARRIED TO ONE ANOTHER AND BOTH OF WHOM REQUIRE 
                   REGULAR AID AND ATTENDANCE.

       (a) In General.--Section 1521(f)(2) of title 38, United 
     States Code, is amended by striking ``$8,911'' and inserting 
     ``$31,305''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.
                                 ______