[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 12]
[House]
[Pages 16469-16471]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1340
      VETERANS' COMPENSATION COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT ACT OF 2011

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (S. 894) to amend title 38, United States Code, to 
provide for an increase, effective December 1, 2011, in 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. 894

       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 2011''.

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

       (a) Rate Adjustment.--Effective on December 1, 2011, the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall increase, in accordance 
     with subsection (c), the dollar amounts in effect on November 
     30, 2011, 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, 2011, 
     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.
       (e) Publication of Adjusted Rates.--The Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs shall publish in the Federal Register the 
     amounts specified in subsection (b), as increased under 
     subsection (a), 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 2012.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Miller) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Filner) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida.
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I rise today in support of Senate bill 894, the Veterans' 
Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2011. This is critically 
important legislation that authorizes a cost-of-living increase for our 
veterans' disability compensation, veterans' clothing allowance 
payments, and other compensation for survivors of veterans who die as a 
result of service to our country. The 3.6 percent increase in benefit 
amounts this bill would authorize is tied directly to the consumer 
price index, which also controls the cost-of-living adjustment for 
Social Security beneficiaries.
  I want to thank the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee leadership, 
Senators Murray and Burr, for working with me and our ranking member, 
Mr. Filner, to get a COLA bill to the President's desk before Veterans 
Day.
  I urge all my colleagues to support Senate bill 894, and I reserve 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Like the chair, I rise in support of passage of this COLA act, S. 
894, sponsored by my good friend, Senator Patty Murray of Washington, 
the chair of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs. And I'm proud 
to work closely with her in my role as the ranking member of the House 
committee. I thank the leadership of this body for bringing this 
uncluttered version of the veterans' COLA bill to the floor, which 
passed in the Senate last month, so that we may pass it without delay 
and get it to the President's desk.
  The veterans' COLA increase will be 3.6 percent for 2012, a figure 
tied directly to the Social Security COLA whose beneficiaries will also 
see the same increase in their payments.
  As it has since 1976, Congress, through the passage of the Veterans' 
Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act, directs the Secretary of the VA to 
increase the rates of basic compensation for disabled veterans and the 
rates of dependency and indemnity compensation, what we call DIC, to 
their survivors and dependents, along with other benefits, in order to 
keep pace with the rate of inflation. This bill will enable disabled 
veterans, their families, and their survivors from World War I through 
the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
  Many of the over 3.5 million veterans who receive disability 
compensation benefits depend upon these 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, 
their families, and survivors would likely see the value of their hard-
earned benefits slowly erode.

[[Page 16470]]

  Mr. Speaker, I think we would be derelict in our duty if we failed to 
guarantee that those who sacrificed so much for this country are able 
to receive benefits and services that keep pace with their needs and 
inflation.
  We funded the war; let's fund the warrior and his or her family and 
survivors. Let's ensure that their benefits make ends meet at the end 
of the month. I urge my colleagues to support this COLA bill, and I 
thank Senator Murray for sponsoring this important measure.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am happy to yield such time as 
he may consume to the chairman of the Subcommittee on Disability 
Assistance and Memorial Affairs, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. 
Runyan).
  Mr. RUNYAN. I thank the chairman for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 894, the Veterans' 
Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2011. S. 894 is the 
companion bill to H.R. 1407, which I introduced in April, which passed 
this Chamber, as amended, on May 23 by voice vote. S. 894 provides a 
cost-of-living adjustment equal to the cost-of-living adjustment being 
provided this year to Social Security recipients for veterans' 
disability compensation, veterans' clothing allowance, and compensation 
for veterans' survivors.
  This is an annual bipartisan bill which has been scored by the CBO as 
having no additional budgetary impact. It is crucial to ensuring that 
benefits for disabled veterans and their families are sufficient to 
meet their needs. As chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs 
Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, and the 
Member of Congress representing the district in New Jersey with the 
largest number of disabled veterans, I have heard from many veterans 
back home and in Washington about the importance of this needed 
legislation.
  This cost-of-living adjustment is tied to an increase in the consumer 
price index, which has not increased in the last 2 years. S. 894's 
increase in the COLA for 2012 reflects rising inflation rates in our 
volatile economy and is necessary to ensure the well-being of America's 
returning veterans who have honorably served our country and protected 
our rights and freedoms.
  I am pleased this bill is the first piece of legislation I had the 
honor of introducing as a Member of this Congress, and I can think of 
no greater priority or commitment that our country owes than to those 
who have bravely worn the uniform and defended all that we hold dear as 
a nation.
  I want to thank Chairman Miller and Ranking Member Filner for 
bringing this companion bill to the floor quickly. I would also like to 
thank Speaker Boehner for his support in bringing this bill to a swift 
vote. I urge all Members to support S. 894.
  Mr. FILNER. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Tennessee, Dr. Roe.
  Mr. ROE of Tennessee. I thank the chairman for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this important 
legislation which will deliver greater benefits to deserving veterans 
in Tennessee and across this Nation.
  Under Senate 894, veterans will receive a cost-of-living increase for 
the first time in 2 years. This adjustment is equal to the 3.6 percent 
annual increase that will be provided to Social Security recipients. 
This will provide much-needed assistance to service-disabled veterans 
who are receiving VA disability benefits and their families. This bill 
is necessary to ensure the well-being of those who have honorably 
served our country and protect our freedoms.
  In these tough economic times, millions of Americans are struggling 
to make ends meet, including many veterans. This bill represents an 
opportunity to take care of those who have given so much to take care 
of us and to help them through these hard times. I urge my colleagues 
to support this legislation. And as a veteran who has recently returned 
from Afghanistan, I can't say enough about what our troops in the field 
are doing now. It is no greater honor than to provide this benefit 
increase for them that they so richly deserve. I strongly support this. 
I thank Mr. Filner for his support and the chairman for his support as 
well.
  Mr. FILNER. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to a new member of the committee, a great advocate for veterans 
in his time here in Congress, the gentleman from New Hampshire (Mr. 
Guinta).
  Mr. GUINTA. I thank the chairman for yielding me the time.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise to add my voice to those calling for a cost-of-
living adjustment for our military veterans. As Americans prepare to 
observe Veterans Day next week, it's appropriate that this body is 
preparing to vote on the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living 
Adjustment Act.
  Mr. Speaker, this bill would provide a much-needed 3.6 percent 
increase in benefits to our veterans, their children, and surviving 
spouses. The men and women of America's Armed Forces answered our call 
when the country had asked, and now we must do the same for them.
  My State, New Hampshire, has the country's sixth-largest percentage 
of veterans by population. Nearly 128,000 former service men and women 
call the Granite State home. And many of them are hurting. The national 
unemployment rate among veterans is 13 percent, more than 4 percent 
higher than the general population.
  That's why on Thursday, November 10, I'm hosting a special Veterans 
Job Fair in my home State of New Hampshire at Manchester Community 
College from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to help them find work. And we've got 
more than 40 willing employers who are attending, looking to find jobs 
for our men and women returning to New Hampshire.
  I urge my colleagues to join with me in passing this important cost-
of-living increase for the men and women who have given so much to all 
of us.
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Nugent), a member of the 
Florida delegation who has three sons wearing the uniform of this 
country, two sons currently serving in Iraq.

                              {time}  1350

  Mr. NUGENT. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
  As a Member of Congress who represents one of the largest veterans 
communities in the United States, I recognize the significant 
responsibility that Congress has to ensure that our veterans receive 
the benefits that they so honorably have earned. These true American 
heroes answered the call of duty and put their lives on the line to 
protect our country, our freedoms, and our way of life.
  It's important to remember that these proud Americans also spent 
their lives working hard, playing by the rules, and saving for a stable 
retirement. That is why today I am happy to rise in support of the 
Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2011. This 
legislation will provide our proud veterans with their first cost-of-
living adjustment since 2009.
  Mr. Speaker, we as a Nation owe our veterans a debt that can never 
fully be repaid. However, as Members of Congress, we can ensure that we 
keep our promise to our veterans by supporting this important 
legislation.
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Florida (Ms. Brown).
  Ms. BROWN of Florida. First of all, I want to thank you, Mr. Filner, 
for all the service that you've done for the veterans throughout the 
years. And of course I want to thank the chairman from Florida for your 
work in bringing this legislation to the floor. It's very important to 
the veterans.
  This legislation affects the benefits of all veterans by raising the 
compensation they receive to allow them to continue to buy the products 
they need to live. It is important to pass this bill as a clean bill 
for those who have made sacrifices to protect the freedoms we hold most 
dear and do not suffer in these tough economic times.

[[Page 16471]]

  In the words of the first President of the United States, George 
Washington: ``The willingness with which our young people are likely to 
serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly 
proportional as to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were 
treated and appreciated by their country.''
  As we go to Veterans Day--that's coming up November 11--I want to 
thank all of the veterans for their service.
  God bless America.
  Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Veterans 
Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act. This legislation is of 
great importance to my constituents and to veterans across the Nation.
  When our military forces are sent into harm's way, they know that our 
Nation is committed to caring for and compensating them and their 
families for the impacts that result of their service. For their 
sacrifice, we help to repay that debt with high quality care and fair 
compensation.
  Ensuring that compensation rates continue to keep pace with inflation 
is critical to meeting our obligations to those men and women who have 
given so much. Today, the House of Representatives will vote on a 
measure to increase compensation for veterans and their families, so 
that their income will cover the increased cost of food, housing, and 
other essentials.
  From Vietnam veterans still dealing with the effects of Agent Orange 
to Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans impacted by traumatic brain injuries, 
the lives of our troops can be forever changed by their military 
service. When a servicemember's health or ability to work is impacted, 
we must provide them with benefits that are commensurate with the 
sacrifices they have made in defense of our Nation.
  Today's bill helps to improve those benefits, and it helps us meet 
the solemn obligation that we have to our veterans and their families.
  Next week, we will honor those who have served on Veterans Day. 
Today, I urge my colleagues to show veterans the respect that they have 
earned through their sacrifice and service. I urge my colleagues to 
vote in support of this important measure.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 
894, the Veterans' Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2011. This 
legislation increases the rate of disability compensation for veterans 
and their dependents. It also increases disability, old age, and 
survivor benefits provided under Title II of the Social Security Act. 
This bill will benefit many; there were more than 3.2 million veterans 
receiving total disability compensation in 2010.
  The Veterans' Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act provides a much needed 
cost of living adjustment for the courageous men and women who served 
in the Armed Forces. It is in a spirit of deep gratitude and 
appreciation that I fight to provide for our troops fighting abroad, 
and our veterans who have returned from deployment. It is the 
responsibility of Congress and the Administration to fulfill our moral 
obligation to those who have fought for freedom and democracy.
  In the State of Texas, we have nearly 1.7 million veterans, and the 
18th District is home to 32,000 of them. Of the 200,000 veterans of 
military service who live and work in Houston; more than 13,000 are 
veterans from Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, and Operation 
Iraqi Freedom. Additionally, there are almost 34,000 soldiers from 
Texas currently deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. I am supporting this 
legislation to ensure that our men and women in uniform are taken care 
of when they return from combat.
  Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom have presented 
unanticipated challenges, greater threats, and higher stakes than ever 
before. The men and women who have served in these operations during 
the course of the past decade were tasked with the enormous 
responsibility of protecting America from a new enemy, one that does 
not identify itself with uniforms, or declare war, or invade by driving 
tanks over a border. The Veterans' Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act 
ensures that disabled veterans are properly compensated for their 
sacrifices.
  Throughout my tenure in Congress, I have remained committed to 
meeting both the needs of veterans of previous wars, and to those who 
are now serving. Veterans have kept their promise to serve our Nation; 
they have willingly risked their lives to protect the country we all 
love. We must now ensure that we keep our promises to our veterans.
  We promise to leave no soldier or veteran behind. Politics and 
partisanship should never be a factor in our support for American 
veterans or troops. On the battlefield, the military pledges to leave 
no soldier behind. As a Nation, let it be our pledge that when they 
return home, we leave no veteran behind. I am pleased at the bipartisan 
nature with which my colleagues have approached this legislation. We 
must resolve together that we will provide returning veterans with the 
welcome, services, care, and compassion that they deserve. Let us all 
remember that one of the things that makes our Nation truly great are 
the young men and women willing to fight to defend it, to defend us, 
and to defend our way of life.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting S. 894, the Veterans' 
Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2011.
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of the bill, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.


                             General Leave

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks 
and include any extraneous material they may have on Senate bill 894.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I once again encourage all my 
colleagues to support Senate bill 894, and I yield back the balance of 
my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Miller) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, S. 894.
  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.

                          ____________________