[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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