[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 64 (Wednesday, May 8, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3258-S3259]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
By Mr. SANDERS (for himself, Mr. Burr, Mr. Rockefeller, Mrs.
Murray, Mr. Brown, Mr. Tester, Mr. Begich, Mr. Blumenthal, Ms.
Hirono, Mr. Isakson, Mr. Johanns, Mr. Moran, Mr. Boozman, and
Mr. Heller):
S. 893. A bill to provide for an increase, effective December 1,
2013, 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.
Mr. SANDERS. Mr. President, as Chairman of the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs, I am proud to introduce the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-
Living Adjustment Act of 2013. I am also pleased to be joined by
Ranking Member Burr and all of my colleagues on the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs in introducing this important legislation. I look
forward to our continued work together to improve the lives of our
Nation's veterans.
Effective December 1, 2013, this measure would direct 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 the increase provided to
recipients of Social Security benefits.
Last year, I was proud to cosponsor the Veterans' Compensation Cost-
of-Living Adjustment Act of 2012, which provided a 1.7 percent increase
in veterans' compensation. The annual COLA legislation is so important
because it impacts vital benefits, including veterans' disability
compensation and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving
spouses and children. In fiscal year 2014, it is projected that over
4.2 million veterans and survivors will receive compensation benefits.
As a longstanding advocate of our Nation's veterans, I understand the
critical nature of these benefits as many recipients depend upon these
tax-free payments to feed their families,
[[Page S3259]]
heat their homes, pay for prescription drugs, and to provide for the
needs of 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.
We also must continue to ensure that these benefits are not
diminished by the effects of inflation. For this reason, I strongly
oppose the President's proposal to adopt the chained CPI. I am joined
in opposition by nearly every major veterans' organization in America.
The Gold Star Wives, The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars,
Disabled American Veterans and many, many more all oppose the chained
CPI.
I will do everything within my power as Chairman of the Veterans'
Affairs Committee to ensure we honor the promise we made to veterans
and survivors. It is important that this country address our budget
deficit, but there are fairer ways to do it than on the backs of
disabled veterans--men and women who have already sacrificed so much
for their country.
I ask my colleagues to join with me in honoring the promise that has
been made to our Nation's veterans. We cannot allow this misguided
attempt to balance the budget on the backs of those who have so proudly
served our Nation diminish the benefits provided to veterans and their
survivors.
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. 893
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 2013''.
SEC. 2. INCREASE IN RATES OF DISABILITY COMPENSATION AND
DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION.
(a) Rate Adjustment.--Effective on December 1, 2013, the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall increase, in accordance
with subsection (c), the dollar amounts in effect on November
30, 2013, 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.--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, 2013, as a result
of a determination under section 215(i) of such Act (42
U.S.C. 415(i)).
(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 2014.
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