Congressional Record, Volume 168 Issue 147 (Tuesday, September 13, 2022)

[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 147 (Tuesday, September 13, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H7767-H7768]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

VETERANS' COMPENSATION COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT ACT OF 2022

Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 7846) to increase, effective as of December 1, 2022, 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. 7846

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 2022''.

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

(a) Rate Adjustment.--Effective on December 1, 2022, the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall increase, in accordance
with subsection (c), the dollar amounts in effect on November
30, 2022, 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, 2022, 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 2023.

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 H.R. 7846.
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, I rise in support of H.R. 7846, the Veterans'
Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2022.
This bill would require the Department of Veterans Affairs to
increase the amounts payable for wartime disability compensation,
compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain
disabled veterans, and dependency and indemnity compensation for
surviving spouses and children.
Specifically, VA would be required to increase benefit amounts by the
same percentage as the cost-of-living increase in benefits for Social
Security recipients.
To me, the cost-of-living adjustment to veterans' compensation is
more than just a rate adjustment tied to inflation. It is a quality-of-
life guarantee for veterans and their families.
This annual COLA is not only a source of personal comfort for former
servicemembers as they age; it assures that their survivors will not
see a decline in earned benefits should the economy fluctuate and costs
rise once their beloved veteran is no longer with us. I know this
because veterans and their family members from all over the country
relay these same exact sentiments to me.
The COLA is the continued recognition by a grateful nation of the
service and sacrifice of those who have stepped up to serve. This
gesture of appreciation is one of the most rewarding responsibilities
of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. As chairman, I am honored to be
leading this effort to express our thanks.
I would like to recognize the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance
and Memorial Affairs for, once again, originating this legislation for
floor consideration today, and I thank Chair Luria and Ranking Member
Nehls for their sponsorship and steadfast assistance to our vets.
I am pleased we are voting on this bill early to alleviate any doubt
that this adjustment will be in place come December.
Mr. Speaker, I wholeheartedly support H.R. 7846, and I urge my
colleagues to do the same.
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 in support of H.R. 7846, the Veterans'
Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2022. I thank
Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Chair Luria
and Ranking Member Nehls for introducing this bill.
It would increase the rate of disability compensation and DIC
compensation for survivors to keep up with the steep rise in the cost
of living. This legislation is absolutely vital in the face of rampant
inflation, a potential recession, and a high cost of living under the
Biden administration.
We must ensure that our veterans are able to pay their bills and put
food on the table for their families. If we do not act, our veterans
and their families will bear the burden of the careless financial
actions of this administration.
Mr. Speaker, I am glad to offer my support today, and I hope my
colleagues will do the same.
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 is the chair of the Disability
Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee.
Mrs. LURIA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7846, the
Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2022.
With inflation and rising costs impacting Americans across the
country, we must continue to ensure that the needs of our disabled
veterans and their families are being met.
For the past 4 years, I have been proud to introduce and pass
bipartisan cost-of-living adjustments to increase compensation and
benefits for our disabled veterans. As chair of the Disability
Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee and author of this
bipartisan legislation, I am, once again, honored to present this
year's annual veterans' cost-of-living adjustment legislation to the
floor.
The Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2022
would, once again, recognize that VA-related compensation requires
adjustment in the same way that Social Security benefits are updated to
meet the cost-of-living realities. This includes disability
compensation, clothing allowance, and dependency and indemnity
compensation payments.
Our veterans service organizations understand the realities that many
of

[[Page H7768]]

our veterans and military families face to make ends meet and the
importance of this cost-of-living adjustment. As the Veterans of
Foreign Wars, VFW, puts it: ``This would provide a guarantee to
veterans and survivors that their payments will always be aligned to
counteract inflation.''
In our current economic climate, veterans in my district and across
the country have many of the same economic concerns as every one of us.
Veterans are not immune from concerns about putting food on the table
and their ability to adequately provide for a comfortable and
sustainable life for themselves and their families.
As a veteran myself, I understand firsthand the concerns faced by our
Active Duty servicemembers and our veterans as they balance
professional responsibilities with the necessities of home life. Every
bit helps, and this is especially true for those who have lost a loved
one in the course of their service or as a result of a service-
connected injury or illness.

Dependency and indemnity compensation provided at a sustainable rate
ensures economic fluctuations are not an additional burden for a
survivor already managing difficult days without their veteran by their
side.
With the high costs of disability care, childcare, and other costs,
it is vital that we continue to provide benefits that meet the
financial demands faced by veterans and their families on a day-to-day
basis.
This cost-of-living increase provided by my legislation would bolster
beneficiaries against today's price fluctuations and provides relief to
our disabled veterans and many military families.
The COLA Act of 2022 is recognition of the need to ensure that those
receiving VA compensation are always supported. This is responsible,
commonsense, bipartisan legislation and proof of the good that can come
from both parties working together. Our veterans and their families
deserve no less.
I thank Ranking Member Nehls for being a cosponsor of this year's
legislation and also full committee Ranking Member Bost, who worked
with me for 2 years on this legislation and in previous years, as well.
I thank Chairman Takano for his reliable support and leadership for our
veterans, their families, and adequate disability compensation.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage full support of H.R. 7846.
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from North
Carolina (Mr. Cawthorn).
Mr. CAWTHORN. Mr. Speaker, I rise and add my voice to support H.R.
7846. I thank Ranking Member Bost, Chairman Takano, and especially
Ranking Member Nehls on this subcommittee for his great work on it.
I would also like to add my voice in support of H.R. 7939. I am
honored to speak today in support of our military servicemembers and
their families.
America's warriors are always on the move, and their spouses often
change duty stations every 2 to 3 years in order to keep their families
together and remain close in supporting their servicemembers.
Requiring the spouses of servicemembers to operate under entirely
arbitrary tax standards prioritizes bureaucracy over bravery and
undermines the support we provide our servicemen and -women. That is
why I am deeply grateful for the support of many of my colleagues who
joined me in introducing the important language of the Military Spouse
Tax Act into H.R. 7939, the Student Veteran Emergency Relief Act,
ensuring that military spouses will be able to keep their home domicile
for State income tax purposes if they so choose.
This policy change provides much-needed financial stability to the
families of those risking their lives in defense of our lives and
liberties.
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this
bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in
passing H.R. 7846, the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment
Act of 2022, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Payne). 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. 7846.
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. ROSENDALE. 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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