[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 166 (Wednesday, November 2, 2011)]
[House]
[Pages H7232-H7234]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
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VETERANS' COMPENSATION COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT ACT OF 2011
Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
pass the bill (S. 894) 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.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is 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 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
[[Page H7233]]
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.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Florida (Mr. Miller) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Filner)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida.
Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
I rise today in support of Senate bill 894, the Veterans'
Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2011. This is critically
important legislation that authorizes a cost-of-living increase for our
veterans' disability compensation, veterans' clothing allowance
payments, and other compensation for survivors of veterans who die as a
result of service to our country. The 3.6 percent increase in benefit
amounts this bill would authorize is tied directly to the consumer
price index, which also controls the cost-of-living adjustment for
Social Security beneficiaries.
I want to thank the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee leadership,
Senators Murray and Burr, for working with me and our ranking member,
Mr. Filner, to get a COLA bill to the President's desk before Veterans
Day.
I urge all my colleagues to support Senate bill 894, and I reserve
the balance of my time.
Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Like the chair, I rise in support of passage of this COLA act, S.
894, sponsored by my good friend, Senator Patty Murray of Washington,
the chair of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs. And I'm proud
to work closely with her in my role as the ranking member of the House
committee. I thank the leadership of this body for bringing this
uncluttered version of the veterans' COLA bill to the floor, which
passed in the Senate last month, so that we may pass it without delay
and get it to the President's desk.
The veterans' COLA increase will be 3.6 percent for 2012, a figure
tied directly to the Social Security COLA whose beneficiaries will also
see the same increase in their payments.
As it has since 1976, Congress, through the passage of the Veterans'
Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act, directs the Secretary of the VA to
increase the rates of basic compensation for disabled veterans and the
rates of dependency and indemnity compensation, what we call DIC, to
their survivors and dependents, along with other benefits, in order to
keep pace with the rate of inflation. This bill will enable disabled
veterans, their families, and their survivors from World War I through
the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Many of the over 3.5 million veterans who receive disability
compensation benefits depend upon these 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,
their families, and survivors would likely see the value of their hard-
earned benefits slowly erode.
Mr. Speaker, I think we would be derelict in our duty if we failed to
guarantee that those who sacrificed so much for this country are able
to receive benefits and services that keep pace with their needs and
inflation.
We funded the war; let's fund the warrior and his or her family and
survivors. Let's ensure that their benefits make ends meet at the end
of the month. I urge my colleagues to support this COLA bill, and I
thank Senator Murray for sponsoring this important measure.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am happy to yield such time as
he may consume to the chairman of the Subcommittee on Disability
Assistance and Memorial Affairs, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr.
Runyan).
Mr. RUNYAN. I thank the chairman for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 894, the Veterans'
Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2011. S. 894 is the
companion bill to H.R. 1407, which I introduced in April, which passed
this Chamber, as amended, on May 23 by voice vote. S. 894 provides a
cost-of-living adjustment equal to the cost-of-living adjustment being
provided this year to Social Security recipients for veterans'
disability compensation, veterans' clothing allowance, and compensation
for veterans' survivors.
This is an annual bipartisan bill which has been scored by the CBO as
having no additional budgetary impact. It is crucial to ensuring that
benefits for disabled veterans and their families are sufficient to
meet their needs. As chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs
Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, and the
Member of Congress representing the district in New Jersey with the
largest number of disabled veterans, I have heard from many veterans
back home and in Washington about the importance of this needed
legislation.
This cost-of-living adjustment is tied to an increase in the consumer
price index, which has not increased in the last 2 years. S. 894's
increase in the COLA for 2012 reflects rising inflation rates in our
volatile economy and is necessary to ensure the well-being of America's
returning veterans who have honorably served our country and protected
our rights and freedoms.
I am pleased this bill is the first piece of legislation I had the
honor of introducing as a Member of this Congress, and I can think of
no greater priority or commitment that our country owes than to those
who have bravely worn the uniform and defended all that we hold dear as
a nation.
I want to thank Chairman Miller and Ranking Member Filner for
bringing this companion bill to the floor quickly. I would also like to
thank Speaker Boehner for his support in bringing this bill to a swift
vote. I urge all Members to support S. 894.
Mr. FILNER. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. MILLER of Florida. I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Tennessee, Dr. Roe.
Mr. ROE of Tennessee. I thank the chairman for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this important
legislation which will deliver greater benefits to deserving veterans
in Tennessee and across this Nation.
Under Senate 894, veterans will receive a cost-of-living increase for
the first time in 2 years. This adjustment is equal to the 3.6 percent
annual increase that will be provided to Social Security recipients.
This will provide much-needed assistance to service-disabled veterans
who are receiving VA disability benefits and their families. This bill
is necessary to ensure the well-being of those who have honorably
served our country and protect our freedoms.
In these tough economic times, millions of Americans are struggling
to make ends meet, including many veterans. This bill represents an
opportunity to take care of those who have given so much to take care
of us and to help them through these hard times. I urge my colleagues
to support this legislation. And as a veteran who has recently returned
from Afghanistan, I can't say enough about what our troops in the field
are doing now. It is no greater honor than to provide this benefit
increase for them that they so richly deserve. I strongly support this.
I thank Mr. Filner for his support and the chairman for his support as
well.
Mr. FILNER. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may
consume to a new member of the committee, a great advocate for veterans
in his time here in Congress, the gentleman from New Hampshire (Mr.
Guinta).
Mr. GUINTA. I thank the chairman for yielding me the time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to add my voice to those calling for a cost-of-
living adjustment for our military veterans. As Americans prepare to
observe Veterans Day next week, it's appropriate that this body is
preparing to vote on the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living
Adjustment Act.
Mr. Speaker, this bill would provide a much-needed 3.6 percent
increase in benefits to our veterans, their children, and surviving
spouses. The men and women of America's Armed Forces answered our call
when the country had asked, and now we must do the same for them.
My State, New Hampshire, has the country's sixth-largest percentage
of
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veterans by population. Nearly 128,000 former service men and women
call the Granite State home. And many of them are hurting. The national
unemployment rate among veterans is 13 percent, more than 4 percent
higher than the general population.
That's why on Thursday, November 10, I'm hosting a special Veterans
Job Fair in my home State of New Hampshire at Manchester Community
College from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to help them find work. And we've got
more than 40 willing employers who are attending, looking to find jobs
for our men and women returning to New Hampshire.
I urge my colleagues to join with me in passing this important cost-
of-living increase for the men and women who have given so much to all
of us.
Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may
consume to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Nugent), a member of the
Florida delegation who has three sons wearing the uniform of this
country, two sons currently serving in Iraq.
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Mr. NUGENT. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
As a Member of Congress who represents one of the largest veterans
communities in the United States, I recognize the significant
responsibility that Congress has to ensure that our veterans receive
the benefits that they so honorably have earned. These true American
heroes answered the call of duty and put their lives on the line to
protect our country, our freedoms, and our way of life.
It's important to remember that these proud Americans also spent
their lives working hard, playing by the rules, and saving for a stable
retirement. That is why today I am happy to rise in support of the
Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2011. This
legislation will provide our proud veterans with their first cost-of-
living adjustment since 2009.
Mr. Speaker, we as a Nation owe our veterans a debt that can never
fully be repaid. However, as Members of Congress, we can ensure that we
keep our promise to our veterans by supporting this important
legislation.
Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Florida (Ms. Brown).
Ms. BROWN of Florida. First of all, I want to thank you, Mr. Filner,
for all the service that you've done for the veterans throughout the
years. And of course I want to thank the chairman from Florida for your
work in bringing this legislation to the floor. It's very important to
the veterans.
This legislation affects the benefits of all veterans by raising the
compensation they receive to allow them to continue to buy the products
they need to live. It is important to pass this bill as a clean bill
for those who have made sacrifices to protect the freedoms we hold most
dear and do not suffer in these tough economic times.
In the words of the first President of the United States, George
Washington: ``The willingness with which our young people are likely to
serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly
proportional as to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were
treated and appreciated by their country.''
As we go to Veterans Day--that's coming up November 11--I want to
thank all of the veterans for their service.
God bless America.
Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Veterans
Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act. This legislation is of
great importance to my constituents and to veterans across the Nation.
When our military forces are sent into harm's way, they know that our
Nation is committed to caring for and compensating them and their
families for the impacts that result of their service. For their
sacrifice, we help to repay that debt with high quality care and fair
compensation.
Ensuring that compensation rates continue to keep pace with inflation
is critical to meeting our obligations to those men and women who have
given so much. Today, the House of Representatives will vote on a
measure to increase compensation for veterans and their families, so
that their income will cover the increased cost of food, housing, and
other essentials.
From Vietnam veterans still dealing with the effects of Agent Orange
to Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans impacted by traumatic brain injuries,
the lives of our troops can be forever changed by their military
service. When a servicemember's health or ability to work is impacted,
we must provide them with benefits that are commensurate with the
sacrifices they have made in defense of our Nation.
Today's bill helps to improve those benefits, and it helps us meet
the solemn obligation that we have to our veterans and their families.
Next week, we will honor those who have served on Veterans Day.
Today, I urge my colleagues to show veterans the respect that they have
earned through their sacrifice and service. I urge my colleagues to
vote in support of this important measure.
Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of the bill, and I yield back
the balance of my time.
General Leave
Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks
and include any extraneous material they may have on Senate bill 894.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Florida?
There was no objection.
Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I once again encourage all my
colleagues to support Senate bill 894, and I yield back the balance of
my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Miller) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, S. 894.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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