[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 100 (Thursday, May 28, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H2327-H2328]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      VETERANS' COMPENSATION COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT ACT OF 2020

  Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 6168) to increase, effective as of December 1, 2020, 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. 6168

       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 2020''.

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

       (a) Rate Adjustment.--Effective on December 1, 2020, the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall increase, in accordance 
     with subsection (c), the dollar amounts in effect on November 
     30, 2020, 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, 2020, 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 2021.

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


                             General Leave

  Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
to insert extraneous materials on H.R. 6168.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 6168, the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living 
Adjustment Act of 2020 increases veterans' disability compensation at 
the same rate as the annual Social Security increase. This puts a 
little extra money in the pockets of our disabled veterans and their 
families to make sure VA benefits keep pace with inflation.
  While this increase may be a small one, it is an essential one that 
veterans and their families rely on us passing each year. In my time as 
chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, I have had the opportunity 
to speak to and know many veterans. Many of them highlight this bill as 
a priority for them and their families.
  The cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, is vital for ensuring that 
veterans' benefits do not decline due to changes in the economy. For 
veterans with service-connected disabilities, this annual change is an 
assurance to them and their families that their benefits will remain 
consistent. It is a guarantee we make to them and a great source of 
comfort to many veterans and their families.
  As our country deals with the novel coronavirus pandemic, and the 
severe economic effects it will have, it is more important than ever 
that we pass this yearly COLA increase so that veterans and their 
families trust that their benefits will not decline due to inflation.

[[Page H2328]]

  I want to recognize the work of the Disability Assistance and 
Memorial Affairs Subcommittee chair, Elaine Luria, for introducing H.R. 
6168. I wholeheartedly support H.R. 6168, and urge all of my colleagues 
to do so as well.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVID P. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time 
as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6168, the Veterans' 
Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2020. The bill was 
introduced by Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee 
Chair Elaine Luria and Ranking Member   Mike Bost. I appreciate their 
leadership on this important issue.
  The Department of Veterans Affairs provides compensation benefits to 
help fulfill our obligation to take care of the brave men and women who 
have been injured during their service to this great Nation.
  H.R. 6168 would authorize a cost-of-living increase for veterans and 
their families next year, if Social Security recipients receive an 
increase. The annual COLA is necessary to help veterans and families 
afford their living expenses when prices go up.
  Currently, many of our Nation's veterans may have been affected by 
this pandemic and are worried about how they are going to pay their 
bills. The last thing that should be on their minds is whether the 
value of their VA benefits will keep pace with inflation.
  Mr. Speaker, I encourage all Members to support H.R. 6168.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Virginia (Mrs. Luria), my good friend and the chairwoman of the 
Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee, the author of 
H.R. 6168, and a former naval commander.
  Mrs. LURIA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of my 
bipartisan bill, H.R. 6168, the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living 
Adjustment Act of 2020.
  During these trying times, I continue to keep our Nation's veterans 
at the top of my mind as they face unprecedented challenges due to the 
coronavirus pandemic. This bill will provide the economic relief and 
pay raise that our veterans have earned.
  It is an honor to represent more than 102,000 veterans, the highest 
total of any district in Virginia, and one of the highest in the 
country. Our veterans put their lives on the line and deployed far from 
home to keep America safe. As a 20-year Navy veteran myself, I am proud 
to bring a bill to the floor that protects the benefits our veterans 
have earned from their service to our country.
  H.R. 6168 provides cost-of-living increases for wartime disability 
compensation, compensation for dependents, clothing allowance, 
dependency and indemnities compensation for spouses, and dependency and 
indemnity compensation for surviving children.
  Congress must honor our commitment to those American heroes who 
served in harm's way so that we could live in peace at home. As we 
continue to fight this pandemic, I ask that we all keep in mind those 
who have kept us safe at home and abroad.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 6168, and join me 
and Ranking Member   Mike Bost in protecting the earned benefits for 
our Nation's veterans.
  Mr. DAVID P. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close. I 
appreciate the Members, Mrs. Luria and Mr. Bost, bringing this 
important bill up. We pass it every year. I encourage all of my 
colleagues to support this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I, too, urge all of my colleagues to join me 
in passing H.R. 6168.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Takano) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 6168.
  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.

                          ____________________