[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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