[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 133 (Wednesday, September 17, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1439]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      VETERANS' COMPENSATION COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT ACT OF 2014

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 16, 2014

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of S. 2258, 
the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2014.
  Mr. Speaker, it is an undeniable truth that our military veterans 
deserve our deepest gratitude for the courage and valor they 
demonstrated while defending the United States of America.
  One way the nation can express its deepest appreciation for our 
service men and women is by assisting disabled veterans with 
compensation and financial support.
  The VA estimated that it will provide compensation to over 4 million 
beneficiaries in FY 2014.
  Among the veterans estimated to receive such compensation are:
  136,897 World War II veterans
  140,169 Korean War veterans
  1,327,348 Vietnam-era veterans
  1,546,030 Gulf War-era veterans
  695,574 veterans who served during peacetime
  Close to half of the nearly 2 million veterans of the wars in Iraq 
and Afghanistan have or will seek compensation for service-related 
injuries, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
  We must be certain that disability compensation provides adequate 
assistance to veterans, and this bill does so by increasing the amounts 
paid by the same cost-of-living adjustment that will be payable to 
Social Security recipients.
  Mr. Speaker, not only does S. 2258 benefit our injured veterans, it 
also helps the families of these injured service members by providing 
increased compensation for dependents and surviving spouses.
  By passing S. 2258, countless veterans and their families would have 
financial stress alleviated thanks to increased rates of veterans' 
disability compensation.
  Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge all members to support the passage of S. 
2258 to ensure that all of our courageous veterans receive adequate 
disability compensation.

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