[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 111 (Monday, July 11, 2016)]
[House]
[Pages H4600-H4601]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                VETERANS' COMPENSATION COLA ACT OF 2016

  Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 5588) to increase, effective as of December 1, 2016, 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:

                               H.R. 5588

       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 COLA 
     Act of 2016''.

     SEC. 2. INCREASE IN RATES OF DISABILITY COMPENSATION AND 
                   DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION.

       (a) Rate Adjustment.--Effective on December 1, 2016, the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall increase, in accordance 
     with subsection (c), the dollar amounts in effect on November 
     30, 2016, 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, 2016, 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.

     SEC. 3. PUBLICATION OF ADJUSTED RATES.

       The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall publish in the 
     Federal Register the amounts specified in section 2(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 2017.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Louisiana (Mr. Abraham) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Takano) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Louisiana.


                             General Leave

  Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
add extraneous materials on H.R. 5588.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Louisiana?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have introduced H.R. 5588, the Veterans' 
Compensation COLA Act of 2016. This bill would provide a cost-of-living 
increase for wartime disability compensation, additional compensation 
for dependents, clothing allowance, dependency and indemnity 
compensation to surviving spouses, and dependency and indemnity 
compensation to children paid to our wounded warriors and their 
families for injuries they suffered while serving in uniform for our 
Nation.
  Many of these veterans are suffering from serious conditions, such as 
traumatic brain injury, that may make it difficult for them to find 
gainful employment and provide for their families, and this clean cost-
of-living increase will help them keep pace with inflation. Benefits 
are also paid to the spouses and children of those who have tragically 
made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of this great Nation.
  H.R. 5588 would give veterans and their families the same cost-of-
living increase that Social Security recipients receive. The men and 
women who were disabled as a result of their military service should 
not have to struggle to put food on the table and pay for housing and 
other necessities.
  Members on both sides of the aisle have historically supported 
legislation that provides an annual COLA for disabled veterans because 
we know it is the right thing to do. I urge my colleagues to support 
H.R. 5588.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in support of H.R. 5588, the Veterans' Compensation COLA Act 
of 2016. This bill is our annual veterans cost-of-living adjustment. It 
would ensure that, beginning on December 1, 2016, our disabled veterans 
receive the same increases as those receiving Social Security benefits.
  Specifically, H.R. 5588 directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to 
increase the rates of basic compensation for disabled veterans and the 
rates of dependency and indemnity compensation, or DIC, to their 
survivors and dependents. It also increases other benefits, such as 
clothing allowance and wartime disability, to keep pace with the rising 
cost of living.
  This bill sends a strong and important message that we are going to 
honor our commitment to supporting our veterans. This is the least we 
can do to repay their service.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Takano) for his kind words and his support. I have no speakers, so once 
again, I just encourage all Members to support H.R. 5588.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I, too, have no additional speakers. I thank 
the gentleman from Louisiana for his work on this issue. It is a 
pleasure working with him in committee.
  I once again ask all of my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 
5588 and the Veterans' Compensation COLA Act of 2016.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5588, the 
``Veterans' Compensation COLA Act of 2016,'' which authorizes for the 
Department of Veterans Affairs to increase the rates of compensation 
for veterans.
  As the friends, family, co-workers and neighbors to veterans, we have 
an obligation to ensure that they feel their service to this country is 
appreciated by their fellow Americans.
  These honorable men and women are major contributors to our military 
presence and many have given their lives to keep our nation safe.
  In the State of Texas we have 1,099,141 veterans under the age of 65 
and 590,618 who are over the age of 65--there are over 1,689,759 
veterans living in our state.
  The 18th Congressional District has 20,607 under age 65 and 9,844 
veterans over the age of 65.
  H.R. 5588 increases the rates of compensation for veterans with 
service-connected disabilities.
  Additionally, the bill provides for an increase in the rates of 
dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of certain 
disabled veterans and surviving spouses and children.
  The increase will be the same percentage as that provided under title 
II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security 
Act.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle 
to support this legislation.

[[Page H4601]]

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Abraham) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 5588.
  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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