[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 60 (Thursday, May 5, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2736-S2737]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. MURRAY (for herself, Mr. Burr, Mr. Rockefeller, Mr. 
        Akaka, Mr. Sanders, Mr. Brown of Ohio, Mr. Webb, Mr. Tester, 
        Mr. Begich, Mr. Isakson, Mr. Wicker, Mr. Johanns, Mr. Brown of 
        Massachusetts, Mr. Moran and Mr. Boozman):
  S. 894. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for 
an increase, effective December 1, 2011, in 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; to the Committee on 
Veterans' Affairs.
  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, today, as Chairman of the Senate 
Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I am proud to introduce the Veterans' 
Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2011.
  Effective December 1, 2011, this measure directs the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs to increase the rates of veterans' compensation to 
keep pace with a rise in the cost-of-living, should an adjustment be 
prompted by an increase in the Consumer Price Index, CPI. Referred to 
as the COLA, this important legislation would make an increase 
available to veterans at the same level as an increase provided to 
recipients of Social Security benefits.
  All of my colleagues on the Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Senators 
Burr, Rockefeller, Akaka, Sanders, Brown of Ohio, Webb, Tester, Begich, 
Isakson, Wicker, Johanns, Brown of Massachusetts, Moran, and Boozman 
join me in introducing this important legislation. I look forward to 
our continued work together to improve the lives of our Nation's 
veterans.
  Last year, Congress passed, and the President signed into law, Public 
Law 111-247, which would have increased veterans' compensation rates 
had there been an increase in the CPI. While there was no cost-of-
living increase in 2011 due to a decline in the CPI, the 2012 
adjustment was projected to be .9 percent in the President's fisal year 
2012 budget submission.
  The COLA affects so many important benefits, including veterans' 
disability compensation and dependency and indemnity compensation for 
surviving spouses and children. It is projected that over 3.5 million 
veterans and survivors will receive compensation benefits in fiscal 
year 2012.
  As the daughter of a disabled veteran, I understand the critical 
nature of these benefits as many recipients depend upon these tax-free 
payments for their most basic needs, in addition to the needs of their 
spouses and children. We have an obligation to the men and women who 
have sacrificed so much to serve our country and who now deserve 
nothing less than the full support of a grateful Nation. The COLA 
brings us one step closer to fulfilling our Nation's promise to care 
for our brave veterans and their families.
  I ask our colleagues to show their continued support for our Nation's 
veterans by working together to ensure this benefit remains available 
and is not diminished by the effects of inflation.
  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. 894

       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 the ``Veterans' Compensation Cost-
     of-Living Adjustment Act of 2011''.

     SEC. 2. INCREASE IN RATES OF DISABILITY COMPENSATION AND 
                   DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION.

       (a) Rate Adjustment.--Effective on December 1, 2011, the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall increase, in accordance 
     with subsection (c), the dollar amounts in effect on November 
     30, 2011, 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.--
       (1) Percentage.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), each 
     dollar amount described

[[Page S2737]]

     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, 2011, 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.
       (e) Publication of Adjusted Rates.--The Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs shall publish in the Federal Register the 
     amounts specified in subsection (b), as increased under 
     subsection (a), 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 2012.
                                 ______