[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 144 (Tuesday, September 17, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H5275-H5276]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      VETERANS' COMPENSATION COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT ACT OF 2024

  Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 7777) to increase, effective as of December 1, 2024, 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. 7777

       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 2024''.

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

       (a) Rate Adjustment.--Effective on December 1, 2024, the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall increase, in accordance 
     with subsection (c), the dollar amounts in effect on November 
     30, 2024, 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, 2024, 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 2025.

  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 may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on 
H.R. 7777.
  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 H.R. 7777, offered by my 
friend and fellow veteran, Representative Luttrell.
  This bill will ensure that VA compensation benefits for veterans and 
their surviving loved ones keep pace with inflation and the increased 
cost of living.
  Veterans and their families often depend on VA compensation benefits 
to pay for daily living expenses and to support their families. This 
bill would help them meet their financial needs by increasing the 
amount of certain disability compensation benefits by the same 
percentage as the cost-of-living increase for Social Security benefits 
recipients.
  Congress must pass the cost-of-living adjustment every year to ensure 
that our veterans and their loved ones cover their expenses and keep 
food on the table for their families.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 7777, and I reserve 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my support for H.R. 7777, the Veterans 
Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2024.
  As we do every year, today, we are considering legislation to 
increase payments 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, this bill mandates that the VA raise these 
benefit amounts by the same percentage as the cost-of-living 
adjustment, or COLA, provided to Social Security recipients.
  This ensures that veterans and their families maintain their quality 
of life and are protected from reductions in their earned benefits as 
economic conditions shift.
  The cost-of-living adjustment reflects our Nation's ongoing gratitude 
for the service and sacrifice of not only those who have bravely worn 
our Nation's uniform but also to their families, who bear significant 
burdens as well. As the ranking member of the Committee on Veterans' 
Affairs, I am honored to support this effort.

[[Page H5276]]

  I also commend the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial 
Affairs and extend my thanks to Ranking Member Pappas and Chairman 
Luttrell for sponsoring this year's House bill and for their steadfast 
commitment to supporting our veterans.
  I fully support H.R. 7777 and urge my colleagues to do the same. I 
also call on the Senate to swiftly pass this measure.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Luttrell), the sponsor of the bill.
  Mr. LUTTRELL. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to be here today to speak on 
my bill, H.R. 7777, the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living 
Adjustment Act of 2024.
  The bill would increase certain amounts of compensation that veterans 
and their families receive as well as the clothing allowance benefits 
for certain veterans.
  Specifically, the bill would ensure that the VA benefits are adjusted 
by the same percentage as the cost-of-living adjustment for Social 
Security benefits recipients.
  Veterans and their families often depend on VA compensation benefits 
to meet their financial needs. This bill is critical to ensure that 
their VA benefits keep up with inflation and today's increased cost of 
living.
  I appreciate Ranking Member Pappas and Mr. Bost for their support of 
this bill. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 7777, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  I ask all my colleagues to join me in passing H.R. 7777, the 
Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2024, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, once again, I encourage Members to support the 
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, H.R. 7777.
  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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