[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 4]
[House]
[Pages 4519-4521]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      VETERANS' COMPENSATION COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT ACT OF 2010

  Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the

[[Page 4520]]

bill (H.R. 4667) to increase, effective as of December 1, 2010, 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. 4667

       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 ``Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-
     Living Adjustment Act of 2010''.

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

       (a) Rate Adjustment.--Effective on December 1, 2010, the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall increase, in accordance 
     with subsection (c), the dollar amounts in effect on November 
     30, 2010, 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.--
       (1) Percentage.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), 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, 2010, 
     as a result of a determination under section 215(i) of such 
     Act (42 U.S.C. 415(i)).
       (2) Rounding.--Each dollar amount increased under paragraph 
     (1), if not a whole dollar amount, shall be rounded to the 
     next lower whole dollar amount.
       (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 2011.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Filner) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Stearns) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
  Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in support of this bill which ensures that hard-earned 
benefits for disabled veterans and their surviving family members keep 
pace with their living expenses. This bill, like the last, was 
introduced by Mr. Perriello of Virginia. It will benefit each disabled 
veteran or survivor from the World War I era through the conflicts in 
Iraq and Afghanistan.
  I yield to the hardworking, active, and committed Mr. Perriello for 
an explanation of the bill.
  Mr. PERRIELLO. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and Madam Speaker. Today I 
rise in support of H.R. 4667, the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living 
Adjustment Act of 2010, a bill that I was proud to introduce in support 
of America's veterans.
  Over 140 years ago, President Lincoln called upon our Nation ``to 
care for him, who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and 
his orphan.'' This charge is as compelling today as it was in 1865. It 
underscores the important role that our veterans play in defending our 
freedoms and the obligation we all have as a Nation to provide our 
brave veterans the care they need once returning home.

                              {time}  1500

  H.R. 4667, the Veterans Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 
2010, will provide an increase to the rates of basic compensation for 
disabled veterans and the rates of dependency and indemnity 
compensation to their survivors and dependents, along with other 
benefits, in order to keep pace with the rising cost of living. The 
disability COLA would become effective December 1, 2010, and will be 
equal to that provided on an annual basis to Social Security 
recipients.
  In these challenging economic times, our disabled veterans depend 
upon these tax-free payments not only to provide for their own basic 
needs, but for those of their spouses, children, and parents as well. 
Without an annual COLA increase, these veterans and their families 
would see the value of their hard-earned benefits slowly erode. We 
would be derelict in our duty if we failed to guarantee that those who 
sacrificed so much for this country receive benefits and services that 
fail to keep pace with their needs.
  Doing right by veterans must always be a top priority for Congress. I 
believe that passage of this bill will send a clear message of support 
to those who wear the uniform of the United States military, a message 
that says we will never forget your service and sacrifice and that a 
grateful Nation will take care of you when you return from the front 
lines of freedom.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bill on behalf of this Nation's 
veterans and continue the bipartisan support that we showed in the 
committee.
  Mr. FILNER. Thank you, Mr. Perriello, and again I want to thank you 
for your service to our Nation's veterans.
  I reserve the balance of our time.
  Mr. STEARNS. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4667, the 
Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living-Adjustment Act of 2010. This 
legislation would increase, effective December 1, 2010, the rates of 
compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the 
rate of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of 
certain disabled veterans, and for other purposes.
  Now, this COLA adjustment includes veterans disability compensation, 
additional compensation for dependents, clothing allowance, dependency 
and indemnity compensation to surviving spouses and their children. 
This is an important annual authorization which provides much needed 
assistance to our Nation's veterans, and, obviously, I encourage all my 
colleagues to support the bill.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers and am prepared 
to close.
  Mr. STEARNS. Madam Speaker, I'd like to thank my House colleagues, 
Mr. Hall of New York, chairman of the Disability Assistance and 
Memorial Affairs Subcommittee, and Mr. Lamborn of Colorado, the ranking 
member of the subcommittee, as well as the House bill sponsor, Mr. 
Perriello of Virginia, for their leadership on H.R. 4667. I also thank 
Chairman Filner and the ranking member, Mr. Buyer, for advancing this 
bill. I urge my colleagues to support it.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, just like our military men and women did 
not hesitate to offer to lay down their lives to defend our freedom and 
the way of life that we cherish, we will not hesitate to defend the 
funds necessary to support themselves and their families.


                             General Leave

  Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on H.R. 4667.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 
4667, ``Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2010'' 
introduced by my distinguished colleague from Virginia, Representative 
Perriello.

[[Page 4521]]

  H. Res. 4667 will increase the rates of compensation for veterans 
with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and 
indemnity compensation for survivors of certain disabled veterans, and 
for other purposes. Increases will include wartime disability 
compensation, additional compensation for dependents, clothing 
allowances, and compensation for the surviving spouse, and for 
children. The Secretary of Veteran Affairs shall be responsible for 
publishing in the Federal Register the amounts, as increased, as 
specified under the Social Security Act. The Secretary of Veteran 
Affairs shall increase the dollar amounts in effect on November 30, 
2010, for the payment of disability compensation for the rate 
adjustment that will take effect on December 1, 2010.
  It is my distinct honor to stand here today to support a bill that 
will allow us to show our appreciation to our veterans and honor the 
service of veterans who have become disabled while serving in the armed 
forces. These veterans have given great contributions and made 
incredible personal sacrifices so that all of us in this country might 
live in a safe and secure nation and world. Providing a cost-of-living 
increase is only a small step towards repaying the insurmountable debt 
that all of us owe to all veterans. For, what is the price of freedom?
  As President Kennedy once said, ``The price of freedom is high, but 
Americans have always paid it.'' And no one has paid a higher price 
than the brave men and women through the years who gave the last full 
measure of devotion to their country. Whether it is the ultimate 
sacrifice of life or the loss of limb or the loss of time with family 
and friends, we owe our veterans an enormous outstanding debt of 
gratitude.
  From Bunker Hill to Yorktown, from Washington, DC to the Battle of 
New Orleans, from Bull Run to Gettysburg and Antietam to Appamattox, 
brave Americans gave their lives so that the nation might live. And 
from Alsace Lorain to Verdun, and Normandy to Berlin and Pearl Harbor 
to Okinawa, from Inchon and Correigador to Vietnam, Lebanon, Grenada, 
Kuwait, Afghanistan, and Iraq, Americans have nobly sacrificed their 
lives so that the world may live in freedom.
  The debt of gratitude we owe to the soldiers, sailors, marines, and 
airmen who answered their nation's call and made supreme sacrifices can 
never be repaid. But the nation can follow President Lincoln's 
admonition to ``care for him who has borne the battle, and for his 
[family].'' Indeed, it is the least we can do.
  It is out of my profound respect and gratitude for all who wear and 
have worn the uniform of the United States that I continue to work so 
hard to pass legislation that will ensure that veterans receive the 
health care, job opportunities, housing assistance, and educational 
benefits they deserve.
  Mr. FILNER. I urge my colleagues to support the COLA bill, H.R. 4667.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Filner) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, HR. 4667.
  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. FILNER. Madam 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 and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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