[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 119 (Monday, July 27, 2015)]
[House]
[Pages H5513-H5517]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
VETERANS' COMPENSATION COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT ACT OF 2015
Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
pass the bill (H.R. 675) to increase, effective as of December 1, 2015,
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, as
amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 675
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans'
Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2015''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act
is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
TITLE I--COMPENSATION COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT
Sec. 101. Increase in rates of disability compensation and dependency
and indemnity compensation.
Sec. 102. Publication of adjusted rates.
TITLE II--UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS
Sec. 201. Extending temporary expansion of United States Court of
Appeals for Veterans Claims.
Sec. 202. Recall of retired judges of United States Court of Appeals
for Veterans Claims.
Sec. 203. Life insurance program relating to judges of United States
Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
Sec. 204. Voluntary contributions to enlarge survivors' annuity.
Sec. 205. Salaries of judges of United States Court of Appeals for
Veterans Claims.
Sec. 206. Selection of chief judge of United States Court of Appeals
for Veterans Claims.
TITLE III--IMPROVEMENT OF CLAIMS PROCESSING
Sec. 301. Interim payments of compensation benefits under laws
administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 302. Claims processors training.
Sec. 303. Notice of average times for processing claims and percentage
of claims approved.
TITLE IV--OTHER MATTERS
Sec. 401. Clarification of eligible recipients of certain accrued
benefits upon death of beneficiary.
Sec. 402. Observance of Veterans Day.
TITLE I--COMPENSATION COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT
SEC. 101. INCREASE IN RATES OF DISABILITY COMPENSATION AND
DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION.
(a) Rate Adjustment.--Effective on December 1, 2015, the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall increase, in accordance
with subsection (c), the dollar amounts in effect on November
30,
[[Page H5514]]
2015, 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, 2015,
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.
SEC. 102. PUBLICATION OF ADJUSTED RATES.
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall publish in the
Federal Register the amounts specified in section 101(b), as
increased under that section, 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 2016.
TITLE II--UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS
SEC. 201. EXTENDING TEMPORARY EXPANSION OF UNITED STATES
COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS.
Section 7253(i)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``January 1, 2013'' and inserting
``January 1, 2020''.
SEC. 202. RECALL OF RETIRED JUDGES OF UNITED STATES COURT OF
APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS.
Paragraph (1) of section 7257(b) of title 38, United States
Code, is amended to read as follows:
``(1)(A) The chief judge may recall for further service on
the Court a recall-eligible retired judge in accordance with
this section. Such a recall shall be made upon written
certification by the chief judge that substantial service is
expected to be performed by the retired judge for such
period, not to exceed 90 days (or the equivalent), as
determined by the chief judge to be necessary to meet the
needs of the Court.
``(B)(i) A recall-eligible judge may request that the chief
judge recall the recall-eligible judge for a period of
service of not less than 90 days (or the equivalent).
``(ii) The chief judge shall approve a request made by a
recall-eligible judge pursuant to clause (i) unless the chief
judge certifies, in writing, that the Court does not have--
``(I) sufficient work to assign such recall-eligible judge
during the period of recalled service; or
``(II) sufficient resources to provide to such recall-
eligible judge appropriate administrative and office support.
``(iii) At any time during the period of recalled service
of a judge who is recalled pursuant to clause (i), the chief
judge may terminate such recalled service if the chief judge
makes a written certification described in clause (ii).''.
SEC. 203. LIFE INSURANCE PROGRAM RELATING TO JUDGES OF UNITED
STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS.
(a) In General.--Section 7281 of title 38, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(j) For purposes of chapter 87 of title 5, a judge who is
in regular active service and a judge who is retired under
section 7296 of this title or under chapter 83 or 84 of title
5 shall be treated as an employee described in section
8701(a)(5) of title 5.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a)
shall apply with respect to any payment made on or after the
first day of the first applicable pay period beginning on or
after the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 204. VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO ENLARGE SURVIVORS'
ANNUITY.
Section 7297 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(p)(1) A covered judge who makes an election under
subsection (b) may purchase, in three-month increments, up to
an additional year of service credit for each year of Federal
judicial service completed, under the terms set forth in this
section.
``(2) In this subsection, the term `covered judge' means
any of the following:
``(A) A judge in regular active service.
``(B) A retired judge who is a recall-eligible retired
judge pursuant to subsection (a) of section 7257 of this
title.
``(C) A retired judge who would be a recall-eligible
retired judge pursuant to subsection (a) of section 7257 but
for--
``(i) meeting the aggregate recall service requirements
under subsection (b)(3) of such section; or
``(ii) being permanently disabled as described by
subsection (b)(4) of such section.''.
SEC. 205. SALARIES OF JUDGES OF UNITED STATES COURT OF
APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS.
Section 7253(e) of title 38, United States Code, is amended
by striking ``district courts'' and inserting ``courts of
appeals''.
SEC. 206. SELECTION OF CHIEF JUDGE OF UNITED STATES COURT OF
APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS.
Section 7253(d) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'';
(B) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (C);
and
(C) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following new
subparagraph (B):
``(B) are 64 years of age or under and have at least three
years remaining in term of office; and''; and
(2) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
``(2)(A) In any case in which there is no judge of the
Court in regular active service who meets the requirements
under paragraph (1), the judge of the Court in regular active
service who is senior in commission and meets subparagraph
(A) or (B) and subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) shall act as
the chief judge.
``(B) In any case under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph
in which there is no judge of the Court in regular active
service who meets subparagraph (A) or (B) and subparagraph
(C) of paragraph (1), the judge of the Court in regular
active service who is senior in commission and meets
subparagraph (C) shall act as the chief judge.''.
TITLE III--IMPROVEMENT OF CLAIMS PROCESSING
SEC. 301. INTERIM PAYMENTS OF COMPENSATION BENEFITS UNDER
LAWS ADMINISTERED BY THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS.
(a) In General.--Subchapter III of chapter 51 of title 38,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following new section:
``Sec. 5127. Interim payments of compensation benefits
``(a) In General.--In the case of a claim described in
subsection (b), prior to adjudicating the claim, the
Secretary shall make interim payments of monetary benefits to
the claimant based on any disability for which the Secretary
has made a decision or, with respect to such a disability
that is not compensable, notify the claimant of the rating
relating to such disability. Upon the adjudication of the
claim, the Secretary shall pay to the claimant any monetary
benefits awarded to the claimant for the period of payment
under section 5111 of this title less the amount of such
benefits paid to the claimant under this section.
``(b) Claim Described.--A claim described in this
subsection is a claim for disability compensation under
chapter 11 of this title (including a claim regarding an
increased rating)--
``(1) the adjudication of which requires the Secretary to
make decisions with respect to two or more disabilities; and
``(2) for which, before completing the adjudication of the
claim, the Secretary makes a decision with respect to a
disability that would result in the payment of monetary
benefits to the claimant upon the adjudication of the
claim.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end of
the items relating to such subchapter the following new item:
``5127. Interim payments of compensation benefits.''.
SEC. 302. CLAIMS PROCESSORS TRAINING.
(a) Establishment.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
establish a training program to provide newly hired claims
processors of the Department of Veterans Affairs with
training for a period of not less than two years. In carrying
out such program, the Secretary shall identify successful
claims processors of the Department who can assist in the
training of newly hired claims processors.
(b) Ability to Process Claims.--The Secretary shall carry
out the training program established under subsection (a)
without increasing the amount of time in which claims are
processed by the Department.
(c) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect on the
date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this
Act.
SEC. 303. NOTICE OF AVERAGE TIMES FOR PROCESSING CLAIMS AND
PERCENTAGE OF CLAIMS APPROVED.
(a) Public Notice.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
post the information described in subsection (c)--
(1) in a conspicuous place in each regional office and
claims intake facilities of the Department of Veterans
Affairs; and
(2) on the Internet Web site of the Department.
(b) Notice to Applicants.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall provide to each person
who submits a claim for benefits under the laws administered
by the Secretary before the person submits such claim--
(A) notice of the information described in subsection (c);
and
(B) notice that the person is eligible to receive up to an
extra year of benefits payments if the person files a claim
that is fully developed.
(2) Acknowledgment of receipt of notice.--Each person who
submits a claim for benefits under the laws administered by
the Secretary shall include in such application a signed form
acknowledging that the person received the information
described in subsection (c).
[[Page H5515]]
(c) Information Described.--
(1) In general.--The information described in this
subsection is the following:
(A) The average processing time of the claims described in
paragraph (2) and the percentage of such submitted claims for
which benefits are awarded.
(B) The percentage of each of the following types of
submitted claims for benefits under the laws administered by
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for which benefits are
awarded:
(i) Claims filed by veterans who authorized a veterans
service organization to act on the veterans' behalf under a
durable power of attorney.
(ii) Claims filed by veterans who authorized a person other
than a veterans service organization to act on the veterans'
behalf under a durable power of attorney.
(iii) Claims filed by veterans who did not authorize a
person to act on the veterans' behalf under a durable power
of attorney.
(2) Claims described.--The claims described in this
paragraph are each of the following types of claims for
benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs:
(A) A fully developed claim that is submitted in standard
electronic form.
(B) A fully developed claim that is submitted in standard
paper form.
(C) A claim that is not fully developed that is submitted
in standard electronic form.
(D) A claim that is not fully developed that is submitted
in standard paper form.
(E) A claim that is not fully developed that is submitted
in non-standard paper form.
(3) Update of information.--The information described in
this subsection shall be updated not less frequently than
once each fiscal quarter.
TITLE IV--OTHER MATTERS
SEC. 401. CLARIFICATION OF ELIGIBLE RECIPIENTS OF CERTAIN
ACCRUED BENEFITS UPON DEATH OF BENEFICIARY.
(a) Eligibility of Estate.--Section 5121(a)(2) of title 38,
United States Code, is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting
``, or estate,'' after ``person''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(D) The estate of the veteran (unless the estate will
escheat).''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a)
shall apply with respect to the death of an individual on or
after the date that is two years after the date of the
enactment of this Act.
SEC. 402. OBSERVANCE OF VETERANS DAY.
(a) Two Minutes of Silence.--Chapter 1 of title 36, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following
new section:
``Sec. 145. Veterans Day
``The President shall issue each year a proclamation
calling on the people of the United States to observe two
minutes of silence on Veterans Day in honor of the service
and sacrifice of veterans throughout the history of the
Nation, beginning at--
``(1) 3:11 p.m. Atlantic standard time;
``(2) 2:11 p.m. eastern standard time;
``(3) 1:11 p.m. central standard time;
``(4) 12:11 p.m. mountain standard time;
``(5) 11:11 a.m. Pacific standard time;
``(6) 10:11 a.m. Alaska standard time; and
``(7) 9:11 a.m. Hawaii-Aleutian standard time.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter
1 of title 36, United States Code, is amended by adding at
the end the following new item:
``145. Veterans Day.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Florida (Mr. Miller) and the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Titus) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida.
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 to add extraneous material on H.R. 675, as amended.
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 yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support H.R. 675, as amended. The
bill includes several important provisions that would help our Nation's
veterans, including the annual COLA increase, changes to the Court of
Appeals for Veterans Claims, requirements for VA to pay accrued
benefits to the estate of a deceased veteran, improvements to claims
processing, and would encourage Americans to observe 2 minutes of
silence to honor our Nation's heroes on Veterans Day.
Mr. Speaker, many disabled veterans and their families depend on VA
benefits to pay for their housing, their food, and other necessities.
Therefore, it is absolutely essential that VA benefits keep pace with
the rate of inflation so that our Nation's heroes are able to make ends
meet.
The original text of H.R. 675, introduced by the chairman of the
Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, Dr.
Abraham, would authorize the annual COLA increase to veterans
disability compensation rates and other benefits.
The amount of the increase will be determined by the Consumer Price
Index, which also establishes the COLA for Social Security
beneficiaries.
H.R. 675, as amended, would also incorporate legislation that was
originally introduced by Representative Costello that would modernize
our Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, or CAVC, to ensure that the
CAVC is able to meet the anticipated increase in the number of appeals
that are coming over the next few years.
To address this problem, the bill would extend the temporary
expansion of the CAVC from seven to nine judges through 2020. The bill
would also authorize the chief judge to recall retired judges to serve
more than 90 days, if necessary. These two changes would help ensure
that the CAVC is able to continue deciding cases in a timely fashion.
Additionally, H.R. 675, as amended, would revise the qualifications
for the chief judge and make CAVC judges eligible for the same
salaries, life insurance programs, and retirement service credit
benefits that are offered to other Federal appellate court judges.
H.R. 675, as amended, also includes provisions introduced by
Representative Titus that would help veterans who seek disability
benefits for more than one medical condition. VA would be required to
make interim payments for disabilities found to be service connected
while the Department makes determinations with respect to claims for
individual conditions that have yet to be adjudicated.
Additionally, this bill would require VA to establish a 2-year
training program that would help ensure claims processors have the
skills necessary to accurately decide claims for beneficiaries.
The bill would also address another serious problem for veterans and
their families, which is that many veterans die before the VA is able
to decide their claim for benefits.
Processing a claim for benefits can often take years, and if a
veteran dies before VA completes adjudication of the claim, VA
currently pays any accrued benefits to qualifying family members, such
as spouses, dependent children, and dependent parents. However, if the
veteran dies without any surviving qualifying family member, VA simply
keeps the benefits.
This legislation, however, includes language authorized by
Representative Zeldin to fix this problem by requiring that VA pay any
accrued benefits to the estate of the veteran, unless the estate would
escheat. This would ensure that adult children and other beneficiaries
of the veteran's estate will receive the benefits to which the veteran
was legally entitled.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, this bill incorporates a bill by my friend
Representative Lynch that would help remind the American public of the
true meaning of Veterans Day.
H.R. 675, as amended, would direct the President to issue an annual
proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe a 2-
minute moment of silence in honor of our Nation's veterans' service and
their sacrifice.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I, too, rise in support of H.R. 675, as amended, which serves to
provide an increase in the benefit payments for our veterans, as well
as for their families and survivors.
I thank the chairman and Ranking Member Brown for their help and
their work on this important legislation.
Since 1976, Congress has consistently increased the rates of basic
compensation for disabled veterans and the rates of dependency and
indemnity compensation, DIC, for their survivors and dependents. This
is in order to keep pace with inflation.
However, unlike Social Security cost-of-living adjustments, known
commonly as COLAs, Congress must act each year to provide veterans with
the benefit adjustments they deserve. This legislation will bring COLA
increases for veterans to the same level as Social Security recipients
for this year.
[[Page H5516]]
This action is very important in the short term, but I look forward
to the House also considering H.R. 677, the American Heroes COLA Act of
2015, which I introduced, along with Chairman Abraham. This would
eliminate the possibility of congressional gridlock ensnaring the
yearly COLA adjustments by making the increases automatic, just like
they are for Social Security.
I would like to highlight an additional provision included in H.R.
675 that will also help ensure our veterans receive the benefits they
have earned in a more timely fashion. Title 3 of this legislation is
the text of H.R. 1414, the Pay As You Rate Act, which I introduced
earlier this year.
The VA pays veterans when their complete claim has been reviewed and
processed. The Pay as You Rate Act would expedite the benefit claims
process for veterans by requiring the VA to pay benefits to veterans as
individual components of their claims are reviewed, rather than at the
completion of the entire claim.
The average benefits claim for our Iraq and Afghanistan veterans
contained over eight separate components. Each medical condition is
individually adjudicated, but the veteran only begins receiving
benefits when the entire claim has been processed.
The Pay as You Rate Act is a commonsense change that will help reduce
the backlog and provide veteran families much-needed financial support.
I am pleased it has been included as part of H.R. 675.
This legislation also includes H.R. 2139, introduced by
Representative O'Rourke, which requires the VA to inform veterans of
the expected turnaround for VA's various methods of filing a benefits
claim. The intent of this legislation is to aid veterans as they
determine the most appropriate manner for filing their benefits claim.
Lastly, included in this bill is H.R. 995, introduced by
Representative Lynch. This legislation would honor our veterans by
formalizing a Veterans Day moment of silence across the Nation.
Again, I thank the chairman and subcommittee Chairman Abraham for
their work on behalf of our Nation's heroes, and I look forward to
continuing to work with them in a bipartisan fashion to ensure that all
our Nation's veterans are receiving the benefits they have earned and
they deserve.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am happy at this time to yield
4 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Costello), from the
Sixth District of Pennsylvania, who is a member of our committee.
Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of
H.R. 675, the Veterans' Compensation Cost of Living Adjustment Act of
2015. I applaud Chairman Miller, subcommittee Chairman Abraham, and our
committee staff for bringing this commonsense legislation to the floor
today.
First, Mr. Speaker, this bill would take a commonsense step to ensure
that veterans disability benefits are eligible for cost-of-living
adjustments, much like our seniors are eligible for Social Security
benefit adjustments.
Next, Mr. Speaker, this bill would take steps towards ensuring that
our veterans are able to receive more timely and prompt review of their
benefit appeals.
This legislation contains my legislation that I introduced earlier
this year, H.R. 1067, the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
Reform Act.
{time} 1930
This measure is a proactive step to ensure that the U.S. Court of
Appeals for Veterans Claims, known as the CAVC, is able to meet the
growing demand for review of veterans' claims benefits.
Not only would H.R. 675 ensure that we have an adequate number of
appellate judges to handle current and future demand, but it would also
ensure that we continue to attract qualified and capable individuals to
serve our veterans on this critical panel.
Mr. Speaker, as you know, particularly from my vantage point, the
Philadelphia VA regional office has been plagued with claims backlogs,
data manipulation, and excessive wait times. It is not only happening
at this VA facility. As we continue to fix this mess, we need to make
sure that we do all we can to promote and support efficiency within the
VA and to ensure that there is no additional interruption in the
benefits review process and service provided to our veterans.
To provide a little background, in November 1988, President Ronald
Reagan signed the Veterans' Judicial Review Act into law, which
established the CAVC as a court of record within the Federal judiciary.
The court has exclusive appellate jurisdiction over decisions of the
Board of Veterans' Appeals, and it plays a critical role in ensuring
the timely and accurate review of veterans' claims.
Currently, the court is authorized to have seven permanent judges and
two temporary additional judges; but absent legislative action, the
court is expected to revert back to its permanent seven judges without
the two additional temporary judges. In order to handle the increase in
claims, this legislation would enable the court to maintain nine judges
through 2020.
As we continue to see reports of mismanagement, data manipulation,
excessive wait times, and lost claims, it is imperative that this
measure, as included in H.R. 675, is passed to proactively address
potential complications that could hinder the effectiveness and
efficiency of the CAVC to review and process veterans' claims. I
encourage my colleagues to pass H.R. 675.
I thank the gentleman from Louisiana for introducing the legislation
and for working with members of the committee to get this well-rounded,
commonsense legislation to the floor.
Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the
gentleman from the Fifth District of Louisiana (Mr. Abraham), the
chairman of a very critical subcommittee on our Veterans' Affairs
Committee.
Mr. ABRAHAM. I thank the chairman.
Mr. Speaker, as chairman of the Disability Assistance and Memorial
Affairs Subcommittee, I would like to thank the Veterans' Affairs
Committee as a whole and leadership on their role in getting this
important bill to the floor.
I am proud to have introduced the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-
Living Adjustment Act of 2015, which is also known as COLA.
The bill provides a cost-of-living adjustment increase to the
veterans' disability compensation and other veterans' benefits for
2016. The amount of the increase is the same given to Social Security
beneficiaries.
We all understand how important it is for the VA benefits to keep
pace with the rate of inflation, and our Nation's veterans depend on
these benefits to pay for housing, food, and other necessities.
Congress has previously passed similar increases with wide bipartisan
support because both parties see the need in making sure that our
American heroes are cared for, which they most markedly deserve.
I would also like to thank the ranking member, Representative Titus,
for her support as an original cosponsor of H.R. 675.
These benefits are instrumental in supporting those who have
honorably served our Nation. Passing the Veterans' Compensation Cost-
of-Living Adjustment Act of 2015 provides our veterans with much-needed
peace of mind so that they know their benefits will be secure each
year.
We must demand the highest protection of our veterans and their
financial security. Our veterans are our Nation's heroes; and this
bill, which enjoys bipartisan support, gives Congress a chance to give
back to those who have already given so much. I urge the full passage
of this bill, H.R. 675.
Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from the First District of the State of New York (Mr.
Zeldin), another valued member of our committee.
Mr. ZELDIN. I thank the chairman for his leadership on the Veterans'
Affairs Committee and for his unyielding passion toward always putting
veterans first.
I thank the great staff as well on both sides of the aisle with the
Veterans' Affairs Committee. It is a pleasure to serve with all of
them.
Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening in support of H.R. 675, which has
been amended to include my bill, H.R. 1569, the Veterans Estate
Transfer to Survivors Act, or the VETS Act.
[[Page H5517]]
I am honored to represent the First Congressional District of New
York, which is located on the east end of Long Island. My district is
in the County of Suffolk, which has the largest veterans population of
any county in New York and the second highest in the entire country.
With so many veterans in my home county, I am extremely proud to serve
on the House Veterans' Affairs Committee.
With the passage of H.R. 675, the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-
Living Adjustment Act of 2015, which has been amended to include my
bill, H.R. 1569, veterans are securing a big victory here in the Halls
of Congress.
The VETS Act is a commonsense reform to the VA benefit payouts that
will help veterans and their families on Long Island and across the
country as my legislation would require the Department of Veterans
Affairs to pay certain benefits that were earned by a veteran to the
veteran's estate.
Under current law, if a veteran passes away while the VA is still
reviewing a claim, the VA no longer has to award the earned benefits.
Currently, only a veteran's spouse, minor child, or dependent parent is
eligible to collect the accrued benefits. By adding the estate to the
current list of beneficiaries, adult children can now also receive the
benefits earned should there be no other qualifying family members.
My bill ensures our veteran families, who rightfully earned and
deserve their benefits, actually receive their benefits even after the
veteran passes away. I encourage all of my colleagues to support H.R.
675.
Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time. I simply
urge my colleagues to support the passage of H.R. 675, as amended.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I also urge the passage of H.R.
675, as amended.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 675, the
Veterans' Compensation Cost of Living Adjustment Act and urge my
colleagues to vote in favor of it.
This is an important bill that provides a critical cost-of-living
increase for the service-connected disability compensation that our
disabled veterans need and deserve. In addition, it makes other needed
changes to a number of programs administered by the VA to ensure that
they better meet the needs of our veterans and their families.
I am pleased that H.R. 675, as amended by the Veterans Affairs
Committee, includes the text of my bill, H.R. 995, the ``Veterans Day
Moment of Silence Act.'' This bipartisan legislation calls for two
minutes of silence every Veterans Day. Its set time of 2:11 p.m.,
Eastern Standard Time, allows all Americans from coast to coast and
Puerto Rico to come together to reflect on the service of our veterans,
past and present. Generations of brave men and women have served our
nation with honor: risking their lives to keep us safe and free. They
deserve our support and, most of all our gratitude.
Mr. Speaker, there are few words that can do justice to the magnitude
of what our servicemembers have done throughout our history, and
continue to do for us every day. They leave their families and loved
ones behind, and go to some of the world's most dangerous places. They
risk their health and their lives to serve and defend the nation we all
love. I have had the honor and pleasure of meeting with some of them in
my travels abroad and I am always moved by their dedication, their
professionalism, and their courage.
I would like to thank Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Miller and
Ranking Member Brown for including the language of ``The Veterans Day
Moment of Silence Act'' to this bill. I also wish to recognize and
thank the Bendetson family who first approached me with the concept of
this tribute. Daniel and Michael Bendetson, along with their father,
Dr. Peter Bendetson, have worked tirelessly for years to bring this
proposal to fruition. Finally, I would most like to thank all the
veterans in my district and across America, in whose honor I am proud
to have introduced this legislation.
Once again, I urge my colleagues to support and pass H.R. 675.
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, H.R. 675, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and
nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
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