[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 162 (Monday, September 20, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H4536-H4537]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      VETERANS' COMPENSATION COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT ACT OF 2021

  Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (S. 189) to increase, effective as of December 1, 2021, 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:

                                 S. 189

       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 2021''.

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

       (a) Rate Adjustment.--Effective on December 1, 2021, the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall increase, in accordance 
     with subsection (c), the dollar amounts in effect on November 
     30, 2021, 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, 2021, 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 2022.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Takano) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Bost) 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 material on S. 189.
  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, S. 189, the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living 
Adjustment Act of 2021, would require the Secretary of Veterans' 
Affairs to increase the rates of disability compensation for service-
connected veterans and the rates of dependency and indemnity 
compensation for survivors of veterans, effective December 1, 2021.
  This bill would also increase these rates by the same percentage as 
the percentage by which Social Security benefits are increased, 
effective December 1, 2021, and require that the VA publish the 
increased rates in the Federal Register.
  To me, the actual cost-of-living adjustment to veterans' benefits, 
otherwise known as COLA, is much more than a rate adjustment tied to 
inflation. In reality, it is a quality-of-life guarantee in the 
retirement years, especially for veterans suffering with service-
connected disabilities and ailments.
  It also comes with the assurance for veterans that their survivors 
will not see a steady decline in benefits if the economy changes and 
costs rise after they have passed. This guarantee is a great source of 
comfort for veterans as they age. I know this because they tell me this 
everywhere I go.
  The yearly COLA increase demonstrates the appreciation from a 
grateful nation in recognition of the service and sacrifice of those 
who volunteer to wear the uniform of our country.
  Participating in this gesture of gratitude is one of the most 
rewarding responsibilities of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. As 
chairman, I am honored to be leading this effort to say thank you.
  I want to recognize the work of the Disability Assistance and 
Memorial Affairs Subcommittee chair, Elaine Luria, and ranking member 
Troy Nehls for sponsoring S. 189's House companion, H.R. 3909, and for 
bringing this legislation to the floor with me today.
  I am pleased that we are considering this bill early this year so 
veterans will not be concerned about its passage by the December 1 
deadline. This is especially important to so many feeling the economic 
effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  I wholeheartedly support S. 189, and I urge all my colleagues to do 
so as well.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 189, the Veterans' 
Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2021. This bill will help 
ensure that benefits paid to veterans who are disabled as a result of 
their military service do not lose value because of inflation.
  S. 189 authorizes a cost-of-living increase for veterans and their 
families next year as long as Social Security recipients receive an 
increase.
  Many disabled veterans and their families rely on these compensation 
benefits to pay their bills, such as mortgage payments and groceries. 
In some cases, these benefits may even be the veteran's only income. 
Moreover, VA benefits are providing much-needed financial support to 
many veterans facing uncertainty due to this pandemic.
  We must pass this bill and ensure that compensation benefits for our 
disabled veterans keep pace with rising costs.
  I would like to thank Senator Thune for introducing this important 
legislation. I urge my colleagues to support S. 189.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

[[Page H4537]]

  

  Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Virginia (Mrs. Luria), my good friend and the chair of the Disability 
Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee.
  Mrs. LURIA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Veterans' 
Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2021. Simply put, this is 
a well-deserved and necessary pay raise for our disabled veterans.
  I am proud to represent a district with eight major military 
installations, including Naval Station Norfolk, the largest naval 
station in the world.

                              {time}  1645

  Ours is a community where one in five people is either active duty 
servicemembers, veterans, or a military family member.
  Our veterans, no matter where they were deployed or in what capacity 
they served, swore an oath to protect and defend the Constitution. They 
risked their lives thousands of miles away to keep America safe. And as 
a 20-year Navy veteran myself, I am proud to support this bill to 
ensure that every veteran can continue to use their benefits they 
earned in service to our country.
  The Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2021, the 
Senate companion to my House bill, H.R. 3909, enhances benefits for 
wartime disability compensation, compensation for dependents, clothing 
allowance, dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses, 
and compensation to children. It increases the same way that Social 
Security benefits increase to meet the rising cost of living.
  We have seen costs for disability care, clothing, and childcare 
increase over the years, and it is vital that we continue to provide 
benefits that actually meet the demands our veterans face every day.
  Providing quality benefits to our veterans and their dependents can 
change lives, and Congress must honor the commitment to those American 
heroes who served.
  Again, I urge swift passage of S. 189 so that we can responsibly 
assist our Nation's veterans once again.
  Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I encourage all my colleagues to support this 
bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I ask all my colleagues to join me in 
passing S. 189, The Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment 
Act of 2021, and 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, S. 189.
  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. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution 
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
  Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion 
are postponed.

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