[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 193 (Monday, November 17, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H4676-H4678]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
VETERANS' COMPENSATION COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT ACT OF 2025
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(S. 2392) to increase, effective as of December 1, 2025, 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. 2392
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 2025''.
SEC. 2. INCREASE IN RATES OF DISABILITY COMPENSATION AND
DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION.
(a) Rate Adjustment.--Effective on December 1, 2025, the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall increase, in accordance
with subsection (c), the dollar amounts in effect on November
30, 2025, 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, 2025, 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 2026.
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.
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. 2392. Each year, Congress
passes the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act.
The legislation ensures that VA compensation benefits for veterans
and their survivors keep pace with inflation and the cost of living.
Millions of veterans and their loved ones depend on these benefits to
pay for daily living expenses.
This bill would help them meet that need by increasing certain VA
benefits to the same percentage as the annual Social Security cost-of-
living adjustment increase.
I recognize this is something we could and should have taken up
sooner, and there was real concern that if the shutdown dragged on, VA
might not have had the staff in place to implement the COLA on time.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the sponsors of this bill, Senators Moran and
Blumenthal, for their bipartisan work on this vitally important bill to
ensure our veterans get their benefits. I also thank Representative
Luttrell for his leadership on this issue.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support S. 2392, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate that we are considering S. 2392, the
Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2025 today. I
rise in strong support of the measure, and I thank Senator Moran for
introducing the bill and appreciate Representatives Morgan Luttrell and
Morgan McGarvey for leading the House version.
We have a uniquely solemn charge on the Veterans' Affairs Committee:
to serve those who have served. It is a task I take very seriously as
do my colleagues.
We continually strive to deliver on the promise to America's
servicewomen and -men as they become veterans; that we will take care
of you just as you have taken care of us.
Because of this, I find it disheartening when I hear conversation
gaining speed about veterans not deserving the benefits provided to
them or of defrauding the compensation and pension system en masse:
Project 2025, The Economist, The Wall Street Journal, and The
Washington Post.
We have even heard this from some veterans themselves at recent
congressional hearings that somehow veterans' benefits make them lazy
and reward exaggeration, but I know, as does America, that this is a
ridiculous notion.
I think Senator Duckworth put it perfectly when she said:
``Portraying disabled veterans as a group of takers who will happily
never work again for $3,100 a month is incredibly condescending and
disrespectful to these heroic Americans.''
Our veterans have sworn an oath to risk life and limb to protect our
Nation. They are honorable and forthright, and they deserve whatever
assistance they need post-service to live happy, healthy, productive
lives. The sacrifices they make and wounds they take occur not just on
the battlefield but in training and on the home front, as well.
These veterans don't just serve alone. Military families sacrifice
right alongside their servicemember. Many are exposed to the same
hazardous environments as those in uniform. They are left to care for
that servicemember when their time is done, and they do so willingly
and with courage.
Mr. Speaker, to denigrate them by suggesting the system of veterans'
benefits is overgenerous is grossly insulting to me, and I am sure to
Americans, as well. If anything, we know there are still a great deal
of toxic exposures, locations, injuries, and illnesses that VA doesn't
recognize or cover.
Too many veterans and their families are left waiting for help. If
anything, we must be more generous, and that is why I am in strong
support of this legislation. Raising the compensation owed to our
veterans to adjust to the cost of living is a small-in-dollar amount
but large-in-significance gesture to demonstrate to veterans and their
families that we see them, we understand their plight, and we can and
will do what we must to help them.
[[Page H4677]]
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support our veterans and their
families by supporting this legislation. On the heels of Veterans Day,
when we honor those who have served and sacrificed for us, I urge every
American to rededicate themselves to uplifting the veterans in all
communities across this country.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas
(Mr. Luttrell), who himself is a decorated veteran and knows these
issues very well.
Mr. LUTTRELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 2392.
First, I thank Senator Moran and Senator Blumenthal for leading this
bill in the Senate. I also thank the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee
on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, Mr. Morgan McGarvey, and
Mr. Takano for joining me in co-leading the House companion of S. 2392.
As chairman of the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial
Affairs, I am dedicated to serving my fellow veterans. This legislation
is necessary to ensure that benefits paid to veterans, who are disabled
as a result of their military service, do not lose value because of
economic change outside of their control.
Without their disability compensation benefits, veterans may not be
able to afford the cost-of-living increase. Many disabled veterans and
their families rely on their benefits to help pay for necessities like
mortgage payments and groceries.
I know there are veterans in my district currently struggling to stay
healthy and make ends meet. Personal finances and being able to pay
your bills are a major source of stress and anxiety for so many
veterans, survivors, and their families.
Mr. Speaker, passing this cost-of-living adjustment provides them
with the peace of mind they deserve and access to benefits they are
owed. I know many of my House colleagues are committed to serving their
veteran constituents, which is why I urge my colleagues to support this
bill.
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Kennedy), my good friend who serves on our Economic
Opportunity Subcommittee and our Oversight and Investigations
Subcommittee.
Mr. KENNEDY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 2392,
the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2025.
Last Tuesday, we marked Veterans Day. Like many of our colleagues, I
joined the western New York community to honor those who selflessly
served our country and their family members who have carried the weight
of that service with unwavering strength. I was reminded of their
commitment to this country and how the liberties we enjoy today were
paid for in duty, courage, sacrifice, and blood.
{time} 1610
Yet, honoring their service demands more than just a simple thank-
you. It requires us to live up to our moral obligation to support their
health, homes, education, families, and futures.
These principles continue to guide me as a member of the House
Committee on Veterans' Affairs because our veterans deserve only the
best for their service. It pains me to hear stories of veterans who
have to choose between having a roof over their head and putting food
on the table because of the affordability crisis in this country.
The reason that is happening is clear. Current veterans' benefits are
not keeping pace with the increased cost of living. That should cause
alarm to every single Member of this body.
The benefits our veterans received after they served our country are
not gifts or handouts. They are part of a sacred obligation to ensure
that those who have defended our freedoms can live with dignity,
security, and opportunity.
When veterans struggle to meet their basic needs, it is not just a
personal burden. It is a national moral failure.
Ensuring that benefits keep up with the cost of living isn't just the
right thing to do. It is the smart thing to do economically.
It promotes stability, reduces uncertainty, and allows veterans to
remain active, contributing members of the community they helped to
protect.
That is exactly why we need the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living
Adjustment Act. It will immediately make critical changes to veterans'
benefits just in time for the holidays.
By adjusting the rate of these benefits to keep pace with inflation
and align with annual increases from the Social Security
Administration, our veterans will not have to choose between
medication, housing, groceries, or utility bills.
Honoring and supporting our veterans should never be a partisan
issue. It is a matter of national character. It makes good on the
promise made to our military heroes when they answer the call to duty.
I will proudly be voting to support this legislation, and I urge all
of my colleagues to do the same.
Let us honor veterans not only with ceremonies and speeches but with
policies that uphold their well-being year-round.
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Guam
(Mr. Moylan), my good friend.
Mr. MOYLAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this bill that
ensures our veterans, including the thousands who call Guam home,
receive the compensation adjustment they have earned through service
and sacrifice.
Guam has one of the highest per capita veteran populations in the
Nation, and these cost-of-living increases are essential for families
facing high costs and limited healthcare options.
This legislation is simple, bipartisan, and just. It honors every
servicemember who stood the watch, from the Indo-Pacific to every
corner of the globe.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support our veterans and pass
this bill.
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Minnesota (Ms. Morrison), my good friend who serves on our Subcommittee
on Health and our Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial
Affairs.
Ms. MORRISON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 2392, the
Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act.
This bipartisan legislation would provide a 2.8 percent cost-of-
living increase for VA disability benefits, like disability
compensation and clothing allowance, as well as survivor benefits, such
as dependency and indemnity compensation.
Veterans and their families are entitled to and owed these benefits,
and it is our responsibility in Congress to ensure that we continue to
provide the utility and financial stability they deserve.
Affordability is a top concern for all of my constituents, including
the veterans in my community. This adjustment is necessary to help
ensure that our veterans and their families can keep pace with the cost
of living.
As a cosponsor of this legislation and a member of the Disability
Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee, I am pleased that we are
able to come together on a bipartisan basis to pass this bill that will
do just that.
Mr. Speaker, I want to end by thanking the gentleman from Texas (Mr.
Luttrell) and the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. McGarvey) for their
leadership on this important bill. I also thank the chair and ranking
member for their support, as well. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes''
on this legislation.
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am ready to
close. I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am
prepared to close.
Mr. Speaker, once again, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on S.
2392, the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2025.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, once again, I encourage all of our Members to
vote ``yes.''
Mr. Speaker, I thank our veterans. This is the right piece of
legislation and something that we need to do, and make sure we do every
year, to make sure that those costs of living are covered for our
veterans and their survivors.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by
[[Page H4678]]
the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Bost) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, S. 2392.
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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