[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 86 (Monday, May 22, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H2479-H2481]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
VETERANS' COMPENSATION COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT ACT OF 2023
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(S. 777) to increase, effective as of December 1, 2023, 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. 777
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 2023'' or the ``Veterans' COLA
Act of 2023''.
SEC. 2. INCREASE IN RATES OF DISABILITY COMPENSATION AND
DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION.
(a) Rate Adjustment.--Effective on December 1, 2023, the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall increase, in accordance
with subsection (c), the dollar amounts in effect on November
30, 2023, 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, 2023, 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 2024.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Bost) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Takano) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.
General Leave
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have
5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on S.
777.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Illinois?
There was no objection.
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 777. I appreciate Senator
Tester and Senator Moran for their leadership on this important bill. I
also thank Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs
Chairman Luttrell and Ranking Member Pappas for leading the House
companion to S. 777.
Our bipartisan collaboration on this legislation each year is vitally
important. The Veterans' COLA Act of 2023 would increase the rates of
compensation for our veterans and their survivors to keep pace with
inflation and the rising cost of living.
Many veterans fought for our country and came back with visible and
invisible injuries. Their disability compensation benefits provide
financial security for service-disabled veterans and their families.
Mr. Speaker, veterans should not have to worry whether their earned
benefits can cover their basic needs. They should not have to choose
between gas to get to work or groceries for their family.
However, unfortunately, because of the Biden inflation problem that
has occurred because of out-of-control spending, this is a reality for
thousands of veterans' families. The least we can do for them is to
provide a cost-of-living adjustment this year so they can continue to
pay their bills and put food on their tables.
I am proud to support this bill today, and I hope all my colleagues
will join me in sending this bill to the President's desk.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
[[Page H2480]]
Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my support for S. 777, the Veterans'
Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2023.
As we do annually, today, we are taking up legislation to increase
the amounts paid for wartime disability compensation, compensation for
dependents, clothing allowance for certain disabled veterans, and
dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and
children.
Specifically, the bill requires VA to raise these benefit amounts by
the same percentage as the cost-of-living increase provided to Social
Security recipients, serving as a guarantee of quality of life for
veterans and their families and ensuring that they will not experience
a decline in earned benefits as economic conditions fluctuate.
The cost-of-living adjustment is a continued recognition by our
grateful Nation of the service and sacrifice not just of those who have
courageously worn our Nation's uniforms but those families who have
supported them and also bear a great burden.
As ranking member of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, it is an
honor for me to support this effort.
I will note, however, that particularly with respect to dependency
and indemnity compensation, more needs to be done beyond the annual
COLA to bring that program on par with other Federal survivors'
benefits. It has lagged behind for far too long, which is a disservice
to the survivors of our veterans. I hope this committee can see fit to
advance that cause this Congress, as well.
Typically, we alternate primary sponsorship of this bill with the
Senate, and this year it happens to be the Senate's turn. I acknowledge
the Senate for promptly sending us their version.
I also commend the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial
Affairs and extend my gratitude to Ranking Member Pappas and Chair
Luttrell for their sponsorship of the House companion to this bill and
for their unwavering support for our veterans.
Mr. Speaker, I wholeheartedly support S. 777, and I urge my
colleagues to do the same. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my
time.
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas
(Mr. Luttrell), who is the sponsor of the bill.
Mr. LUTTRELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 777.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Senator Tester and Senator Moran for leading
this bill through the Senate. I also thank the Disability Assistance
and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee's ranking member, Mr. Pappas, for
joining me and co-leading the House companion to S. 777.
As Chairman Bost said, this legislation is necessary to ensure that
veterans' and survivors' compensation benefits keep pace with rising
inflation.
There are veterans in my district who are struggling to make ends
meet. Without their disability compensation benefits, they may not be
able to do just that.
Finances and the ability to pay bills can be a major source of stress
and anxiety for so many veterans, survivors, and their families.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in just 1 year, the
consumer price index has risen 4.9 percent, with housing and gas prices
at the front of the charge. This bill is crucial to ensure that
veterans can keep pace with this widespread inflation.
Mr. Speaker, I know many of my colleagues are committed to helping
their veteran constituents, and I urge my colleagues to support this
bill.
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from New
Hampshire (Mr. Pappas), the ranking member on the Subcommittee on
Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs of the House Veterans'
Affairs Committee.
Mr. PAPPAS. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Takano for yielding
the time and Chairman Bost, as well, for his support of this
legislation. It was an honor to be able to work with subcommittee Chair
Luttrell on this important issue, S. 777, the Veterans' COLA Act of
2023.
We all know we have a sacred and solemn obligation to make sure that
the needs of our veterans are met. My home State of New Hampshire is
home to over 100,000 veterans from all branches, with service dating
from the Second World War to today. Some of those veterans returned
home with service-connected disabilities and required extra care and
support.
As we all continue to feel the impact of inflation and higher costs,
those pressures can be particularly challenging for our veteran
community.
Our veterans swear to give everything, up to and including their
lives, in service to our country. They shouldn't have to worry if they
can afford groceries this week or pay their electric bill the next
week.
Their VA benefits should keep pace with economic trends, and their
financial and overall well-being should never be left to hang in the
balance.
This legislation would increase the rates of VA benefits equal to the
cost-of-living increase provided for Social Security benefits for
veterans with service-connected disabilities, as well as the rates of
dependency and indemnity compensation for their survivors and families.
This will help ensure that veterans with service-connected
disabilities and families and loved ones of veterans who have been lost
can rest assured that their benefits will support them even as our
economy changes.
We owe our veterans and their families a tremendous debt of
gratitude, and the legislation we propose today is another way that we
can all work to honor their sacrifice and work to pay down that debt
that we all bear.
Mr. Speaker, I urge swift passage of this bipartisan bill so we can
send it to the President's desk for his signature.
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I reserve the
balance of my time.
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee), my good friend who serves on the Judiciary
Committee.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank very much the ranking member;
Mr. Bost; my good friend from Texas; the ranking member, the gentleman
from New Hampshire; and, of course, in the other body, Senator Tester
for a very instructive and important initiative dealing with the cost
of living for our veterans.
Mr. Speaker, if my colleagues are embraced and engaged with
veterans--which many of us do every time we are home in the district--
they realize that they, in many instances, continue their service in
the kinds of work that they do. Realize, however, that they have any
number of additional challenges in many instances. That, of course,
includes some of the health issues, housing issues, and ability-to-
support-family issues.
The cost of living is, in essence, something that we should make as a
commitment for the service that they have given.
{time} 1730
I know that we often say thank you for your service, and we often
have a smile on our face. I want it to be well known, well known, that
it is by our action and our deeds, not just by our words.
The veterans that we see across our districts and across America have
fought in many wars. Many of them believe that they have not been given
the full amount of their veteran benefits.
They believe that they are still trying to petition for a level of
disability, if you will. Some are at a certain percentage and feel that
they deserve another percentage because they are in a financial
condition that causes them to wonder about their service and their
service-connected disability. We get all of those questions.
I think the overall statement that has been made about the cost of
living is to recognize the difficulty our veterans have, the increasing
amount of moneys that it requires for us to take care of our veterans,
and that this is a responsible and respectable way of doing so.
I hope that we will pass this quickly. I hope that it will go to the
President's desk. I hope that when we see our veterans, we will be able
to be an exhibitor of deeds, that we stood on the floor of the House to
say thank you.
We stood on the floor of the House to say we recognize the needs that
you have from the veterans hospitals, veterans clinics, and certainly
for the need of increased compensation.
This is an important statement not only for veterans but for their
families.
[[Page H2481]]
It is an important statement for the young men and women who put on the
uniform today unselfishly.
They will ultimately be veterans, and we hope that they will be able
to serve, and they will be able to come out as veterans.
Please be reminded as we celebrate Memorial Day there are those who
put on the uniform unselfishly, and they never made it home.
We want to be able to honor those, but as well, we want to honor
living veterans. I support this legislation that provides for a
veterans COLA of 2023.
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I have no more speakers. I am ready to close,
and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I ask all my colleagues to pass S. 777,
Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2023, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I also encourage all of our Members to support
this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Bost) that the House suspend the rules and
pass the bill, S. 777.
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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