[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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