[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 9]
[House]
[Pages 12787-12791]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      VETERANS' COMPENSATION COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT ACT OF 2015

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 675) to increase, effective as of December 1, 2015, 
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, as 
amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                H.R. 675

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans' 
     Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2015''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

            TITLE I--COMPENSATION COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT

Sec. 101. Increase in rates of disability compensation and dependency 
              and indemnity compensation.
Sec. 102. Publication of adjusted rates.

      TITLE II--UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS

Sec. 201. Extending temporary expansion of United States Court of 
              Appeals for Veterans Claims.
Sec. 202. Recall of retired judges of United States Court of Appeals 
              for Veterans Claims.
Sec. 203. Life insurance program relating to judges of United States 
              Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
Sec. 204. Voluntary contributions to enlarge survivors' annuity.
Sec. 205. Salaries of judges of United States Court of Appeals for 
              Veterans Claims.
Sec. 206. Selection of chief judge of United States Court of Appeals 
              for Veterans Claims.

              TITLE III--IMPROVEMENT OF CLAIMS PROCESSING

Sec. 301. Interim payments of compensation benefits under laws 
              administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 302. Claims processors training.
Sec. 303. Notice of average times for processing claims and percentage 
              of claims approved.

                        TITLE IV--OTHER MATTERS

Sec. 401. Clarification of eligible recipients of certain accrued 
              benefits upon death of beneficiary.
Sec. 402. Observance of Veterans Day.

            TITLE I--COMPENSATION COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT

     SEC. 101. INCREASE IN RATES OF DISABILITY COMPENSATION AND 
                   DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION.

       (a) Rate Adjustment.--Effective on December 1, 2015, the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall increase, in accordance 
     with subsection (c), the dollar amounts in effect on November 
     30, 2015, 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, 2015, 
     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. 102. PUBLICATION OF ADJUSTED RATES.

       The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall publish in the 
     Federal Register the amounts specified in section 101(b), as 
     increased under that section, not later than the date on 
     which the

[[Page 12788]]

     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 2016.

      TITLE II--UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS

     SEC. 201. EXTENDING TEMPORARY EXPANSION OF UNITED STATES 
                   COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS.

       Section 7253(i)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is 
     amended by striking ``January 1, 2013'' and inserting 
     ``January 1, 2020''.

     SEC. 202. RECALL OF RETIRED JUDGES OF UNITED STATES COURT OF 
                   APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS.

       Paragraph (1) of section 7257(b) of title 38, United States 
     Code, is amended to read as follows:
       ``(1)(A) The chief judge may recall for further service on 
     the Court a recall-eligible retired judge in accordance with 
     this section. Such a recall shall be made upon written 
     certification by the chief judge that substantial service is 
     expected to be performed by the retired judge for such 
     period, not to exceed 90 days (or the equivalent), as 
     determined by the chief judge to be necessary to meet the 
     needs of the Court.
       ``(B)(i) A recall-eligible judge may request that the chief 
     judge recall the recall-eligible judge for a period of 
     service of not less than 90 days (or the equivalent).
       ``(ii) The chief judge shall approve a request made by a 
     recall-eligible judge pursuant to clause (i) unless the chief 
     judge certifies, in writing, that the Court does not have--
       ``(I) sufficient work to assign such recall-eligible judge 
     during the period of recalled service; or
       ``(II) sufficient resources to provide to such recall-
     eligible judge appropriate administrative and office support.
       ``(iii) At any time during the period of recalled service 
     of a judge who is recalled pursuant to clause (i), the chief 
     judge may terminate such recalled service if the chief judge 
     makes a written certification described in clause (ii).''.

     SEC. 203. LIFE INSURANCE PROGRAM RELATING TO JUDGES OF UNITED 
                   STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS.

       (a) In General.--Section 7281 of title 38, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(j) For purposes of chapter 87 of title 5, a judge who is 
     in regular active service and a judge who is retired under 
     section 7296 of this title or under chapter 83 or 84 of title 
     5 shall be treated as an employee described in section 
     8701(a)(5) of title 5.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall apply with respect to any payment made on or after the 
     first day of the first applicable pay period beginning on or 
     after the date of the enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 204. VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO ENLARGE SURVIVORS' 
                   ANNUITY.

       Section 7297 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by 
     adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(p)(1) A covered judge who makes an election under 
     subsection (b) may purchase, in three-month increments, up to 
     an additional year of service credit for each year of Federal 
     judicial service completed, under the terms set forth in this 
     section.
       ``(2) In this subsection, the term `covered judge' means 
     any of the following:
       ``(A) A judge in regular active service.
       ``(B) A retired judge who is a recall-eligible retired 
     judge pursuant to subsection (a) of section 7257 of this 
     title.
       ``(C) A retired judge who would be a recall-eligible 
     retired judge pursuant to subsection (a) of section 7257 but 
     for--
       ``(i) meeting the aggregate recall service requirements 
     under subsection (b)(3) of such section; or
       ``(ii) being permanently disabled as described by 
     subsection (b)(4) of such section.''.

     SEC. 205. SALARIES OF JUDGES OF UNITED STATES COURT OF 
                   APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS.

       Section 7253(e) of title 38, United States Code, is amended 
     by striking ``district courts'' and inserting ``courts of 
     appeals''.

     SEC. 206. SELECTION OF CHIEF JUDGE OF UNITED STATES COURT OF 
                   APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS.

       Section 7253(d) of title 38, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)--
       (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'';
       (B) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (C); 
     and
       (C) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following new 
     subparagraph (B):
       ``(B) are 64 years of age or under and have at least three 
     years remaining in term of office; and''; and
       (2) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
       ``(2)(A) In any case in which there is no judge of the 
     Court in regular active service who meets the requirements 
     under paragraph (1), the judge of the Court in regular active 
     service who is senior in commission and meets subparagraph 
     (A) or (B) and subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) shall act as 
     the chief judge.
       ``(B) In any case under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph 
     in which there is no judge of the Court in regular active 
     service who meets subparagraph (A) or (B) and subparagraph 
     (C) of paragraph (1), the judge of the Court in regular 
     active service who is senior in commission and meets 
     subparagraph (C) shall act as the chief judge.''.

              TITLE III--IMPROVEMENT OF CLAIMS PROCESSING

     SEC. 301. INTERIM PAYMENTS OF COMPENSATION BENEFITS UNDER 
                   LAWS ADMINISTERED BY THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS 
                   AFFAIRS.

       (a) In General.--Subchapter III of chapter 51 of title 38, 
     United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new section:

     ``Sec. 5127. Interim payments of compensation benefits

       ``(a) In General.--In the case of a claim described in 
     subsection (b), prior to adjudicating the claim, the 
     Secretary shall make interim payments of monetary benefits to 
     the claimant based on any disability for which the Secretary 
     has made a decision or, with respect to such a disability 
     that is not compensable, notify the claimant of the rating 
     relating to such disability. Upon the adjudication of the 
     claim, the Secretary shall pay to the claimant any monetary 
     benefits awarded to the claimant for the period of payment 
     under section 5111 of this title less the amount of such 
     benefits paid to the claimant under this section.
       ``(b) Claim Described.--A claim described in this 
     subsection is a claim for disability compensation under 
     chapter 11 of this title (including a claim regarding an 
     increased rating)--
       ``(1) the adjudication of which requires the Secretary to 
     make decisions with respect to two or more disabilities; and
       ``(2) for which, before completing the adjudication of the 
     claim, the Secretary makes a decision with respect to a 
     disability that would result in the payment of monetary 
     benefits to the claimant upon the adjudication of the 
     claim.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end of 
     the items relating to such subchapter the following new item:

``5127. Interim payments of compensation benefits.''.

     SEC. 302. CLAIMS PROCESSORS TRAINING.

       (a) Establishment.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
     establish a training program to provide newly hired claims 
     processors of the Department of Veterans Affairs with 
     training for a period of not less than two years. In carrying 
     out such program, the Secretary shall identify successful 
     claims processors of the Department who can assist in the 
     training of newly hired claims processors.
       (b) Ability to Process Claims.--The Secretary shall carry 
     out the training program established under subsection (a) 
     without increasing the amount of time in which claims are 
     processed by the Department.
       (c) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect on the 
     date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this 
     Act.

     SEC. 303. NOTICE OF AVERAGE TIMES FOR PROCESSING CLAIMS AND 
                   PERCENTAGE OF CLAIMS APPROVED.

       (a) Public Notice.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
     post the information described in subsection (c)--
       (1) in a conspicuous place in each regional office and 
     claims intake facilities of the Department of Veterans 
     Affairs; and
       (2) on the Internet Web site of the Department.
       (b) Notice to Applicants.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall provide to each person 
     who submits a claim for benefits under the laws administered 
     by the Secretary before the person submits such claim--
       (A) notice of the information described in subsection (c); 
     and
       (B) notice that the person is eligible to receive up to an 
     extra year of benefits payments if the person files a claim 
     that is fully developed.
       (2) Acknowledgment of receipt of notice.--Each person who 
     submits a claim for benefits under the laws administered by 
     the Secretary shall include in such application a signed form 
     acknowledging that the person received the information 
     described in subsection (c).
       (c) Information Described.--
       (1) In general.--The information described in this 
     subsection is the following:
       (A) The average processing time of the claims described in 
     paragraph (2) and the percentage of such submitted claims for 
     which benefits are awarded.
       (B) The percentage of each of the following types of 
     submitted claims for benefits under the laws administered by 
     the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for which benefits are 
     awarded:
       (i) Claims filed by veterans who authorized a veterans 
     service organization to act on the veterans' behalf under a 
     durable power of attorney.
       (ii) Claims filed by veterans who authorized a person other 
     than a veterans service organization to act on the veterans' 
     behalf under a durable power of attorney.
       (iii) Claims filed by veterans who did not authorize a 
     person to act on the veterans' behalf under a durable power 
     of attorney.
       (2) Claims described.--The claims described in this 
     paragraph are each of the following types of claims for 
     benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs:
       (A) A fully developed claim that is submitted in standard 
     electronic form.
       (B) A fully developed claim that is submitted in standard 
     paper form.
       (C) A claim that is not fully developed that is submitted 
     in standard electronic form.
       (D) A claim that is not fully developed that is submitted 
     in standard paper form.
       (E) A claim that is not fully developed that is submitted 
     in non-standard paper form.
       (3) Update of information.--The information described in 
     this subsection shall be updated not less frequently than 
     once each fiscal quarter.

[[Page 12789]]



                        TITLE IV--OTHER MATTERS

     SEC. 401. CLARIFICATION OF ELIGIBLE RECIPIENTS OF CERTAIN 
                   ACCRUED BENEFITS UPON DEATH OF BENEFICIARY.

       (a) Eligibility of Estate.--Section 5121(a)(2) of title 38, 
     United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting 
     ``, or estate,'' after ``person''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
       ``(D) The estate of the veteran (unless the estate will 
     escheat).''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall apply with respect to the death of an individual on or 
     after the date that is two years after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 402. OBSERVANCE OF VETERANS DAY.

       (a) Two Minutes of Silence.--Chapter 1 of title 36, United 
     States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following 
     new section:

     ``Sec. 145. Veterans Day

       ``The President shall issue each year a proclamation 
     calling on the people of the United States to observe two 
     minutes of silence on Veterans Day in honor of the service 
     and sacrifice of veterans throughout the history of the 
     Nation, beginning at--
       ``(1) 3:11 p.m. Atlantic standard time;
       ``(2) 2:11 p.m. eastern standard time;
       ``(3) 1:11 p.m. central standard time;
       ``(4) 12:11 p.m. mountain standard time;
       ``(5) 11:11 a.m. Pacific standard time;
       ``(6) 10:11 a.m. Alaska standard time; and
       ``(7) 9:11 a.m. Hawaii-Aleutian standard time.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 
     1 of title 36, United States Code, is amended by adding at 
     the end the following new item:

``145. Veterans Day.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Miller) and the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Titus) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida.


                             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 to add extraneous material on H.R. 675, as amended.
  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 yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support H.R. 675, as amended. The 
bill includes several important provisions that would help our Nation's 
veterans, including the annual COLA increase, changes to the Court of 
Appeals for Veterans Claims, requirements for VA to pay accrued 
benefits to the estate of a deceased veteran, improvements to claims 
processing, and would encourage Americans to observe 2 minutes of 
silence to honor our Nation's heroes on Veterans Day.
  Mr. Speaker, many disabled veterans and their families depend on VA 
benefits to pay for their housing, their food, and other necessities. 
Therefore, it is absolutely essential that VA benefits keep pace with 
the rate of inflation so that our Nation's heroes are able to make ends 
meet.
  The original text of H.R. 675, introduced by the chairman of the 
Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, Dr. 
Abraham, would authorize the annual COLA increase to veterans 
disability compensation rates and other benefits.
  The amount of the increase will be determined by the Consumer Price 
Index, which also establishes the COLA for Social Security 
beneficiaries.
  H.R. 675, as amended, would also incorporate legislation that was 
originally introduced by Representative Costello that would modernize 
our Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, or CAVC, to ensure that the 
CAVC is able to meet the anticipated increase in the number of appeals 
that are coming over the next few years.
  To address this problem, the bill would extend the temporary 
expansion of the CAVC from seven to nine judges through 2020. The bill 
would also authorize the chief judge to recall retired judges to serve 
more than 90 days, if necessary. These two changes would help ensure 
that the CAVC is able to continue deciding cases in a timely fashion.
  Additionally, H.R. 675, as amended, would revise the qualifications 
for the chief judge and make CAVC judges eligible for the same 
salaries, life insurance programs, and retirement service credit 
benefits that are offered to other Federal appellate court judges.
  H.R. 675, as amended, also includes provisions introduced by 
Representative Titus that would help veterans who seek disability 
benefits for more than one medical condition. VA would be required to 
make interim payments for disabilities found to be service connected 
while the Department makes determinations with respect to claims for 
individual conditions that have yet to be adjudicated.
  Additionally, this bill would require VA to establish a 2-year 
training program that would help ensure claims processors have the 
skills necessary to accurately decide claims for beneficiaries.
  The bill would also address another serious problem for veterans and 
their families, which is that many veterans die before the VA is able 
to decide their claim for benefits.
  Processing a claim for benefits can often take years, and if a 
veteran dies before VA completes adjudication of the claim, VA 
currently pays any accrued benefits to qualifying family members, such 
as spouses, dependent children, and dependent parents. However, if the 
veteran dies without any surviving qualifying family member, VA simply 
keeps the benefits.
  This legislation, however, includes language authorized by 
Representative Zeldin to fix this problem by requiring that VA pay any 
accrued benefits to the estate of the veteran, unless the estate would 
escheat. This would ensure that adult children and other beneficiaries 
of the veteran's estate will receive the benefits to which the veteran 
was legally entitled.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, this bill incorporates a bill by my friend 
Representative Lynch that would help remind the American public of the 
true meaning of Veterans Day.
  H.R. 675, as amended, would direct the President to issue an annual 
proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe a 2-
minute moment of silence in honor of our Nation's veterans' service and 
their sacrifice.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I, too, rise in support of H.R. 675, as amended, which serves to 
provide an increase in the benefit payments for our veterans, as well 
as for their families and survivors.
  I thank the chairman and Ranking Member Brown for their help and 
their work on this important legislation.
  Since 1976, Congress has consistently increased the rates of basic 
compensation for disabled veterans and the rates of dependency and 
indemnity compensation, DIC, for their survivors and dependents. This 
is in order to keep pace with inflation.
  However, unlike Social Security cost-of-living adjustments, known 
commonly as COLAs, Congress must act each year to provide veterans with 
the benefit adjustments they deserve. This legislation will bring COLA 
increases for veterans to the same level as Social Security recipients 
for this year.
  This action is very important in the short term, but I look forward 
to the House also considering H.R. 677, the American Heroes COLA Act of 
2015, which I introduced, along with Chairman Abraham. This would 
eliminate the possibility of congressional gridlock ensnaring the 
yearly COLA adjustments by making the increases automatic, just like 
they are for Social Security.
  I would like to highlight an additional provision included in H.R. 
675 that will also help ensure our veterans receive the benefits they 
have earned in a more timely fashion. Title 3 of this legislation is 
the text of H.R. 1414, the Pay As You Rate Act, which I introduced 
earlier this year.
  The VA pays veterans when their complete claim has been reviewed and 
processed. The Pay as You Rate Act would expedite the benefit claims 
process for veterans by requiring the VA to pay benefits to veterans as 
individual components of their claims are reviewed, rather than at the 
completion of the entire claim.

[[Page 12790]]

  The average benefits claim for our Iraq and Afghanistan veterans 
contained over eight separate components. Each medical condition is 
individually adjudicated, but the veteran only begins receiving 
benefits when the entire claim has been processed.
  The Pay as You Rate Act is a commonsense change that will help reduce 
the backlog and provide veteran families much-needed financial support. 
I am pleased it has been included as part of H.R. 675.
  This legislation also includes H.R. 2139, introduced by 
Representative O'Rourke, which requires the VA to inform veterans of 
the expected turnaround for VA's various methods of filing a benefits 
claim. The intent of this legislation is to aid veterans as they 
determine the most appropriate manner for filing their benefits claim.
  Lastly, included in this bill is H.R. 995, introduced by 
Representative Lynch. This legislation would honor our veterans by 
formalizing a Veterans Day moment of silence across the Nation.
  Again, I thank the chairman and subcommittee Chairman Abraham for 
their work on behalf of our Nation's heroes, and I look forward to 
continuing to work with them in a bipartisan fashion to ensure that all 
our Nation's veterans are receiving the benefits they have earned and 
they deserve.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am happy at this time to yield 
4 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Costello), from the 
Sixth District of Pennsylvania, who is a member of our committee.
  Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of 
H.R. 675, the Veterans' Compensation Cost of Living Adjustment Act of 
2015. I applaud Chairman Miller, subcommittee Chairman Abraham, and our 
committee staff for bringing this commonsense legislation to the floor 
today.
  First, Mr. Speaker, this bill would take a commonsense step to ensure 
that veterans disability benefits are eligible for cost-of-living 
adjustments, much like our seniors are eligible for Social Security 
benefit adjustments.
  Next, Mr. Speaker, this bill would take steps towards ensuring that 
our veterans are able to receive more timely and prompt review of their 
benefit appeals.
  This legislation contains my legislation that I introduced earlier 
this year, H.R. 1067, the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims 
Reform Act.

                              {time}  1930

  This measure is a proactive step to ensure that the U.S. Court of 
Appeals for Veterans Claims, known as the CAVC, is able to meet the 
growing demand for review of veterans' claims benefits.
  Not only would H.R. 675 ensure that we have an adequate number of 
appellate judges to handle current and future demand, but it would also 
ensure that we continue to attract qualified and capable individuals to 
serve our veterans on this critical panel.
  Mr. Speaker, as you know, particularly from my vantage point, the 
Philadelphia VA regional office has been plagued with claims backlogs, 
data manipulation, and excessive wait times. It is not only happening 
at this VA facility. As we continue to fix this mess, we need to make 
sure that we do all we can to promote and support efficiency within the 
VA and to ensure that there is no additional interruption in the 
benefits review process and service provided to our veterans.
  To provide a little background, in November 1988, President Ronald 
Reagan signed the Veterans' Judicial Review Act into law, which 
established the CAVC as a court of record within the Federal judiciary. 
The court has exclusive appellate jurisdiction over decisions of the 
Board of Veterans' Appeals, and it plays a critical role in ensuring 
the timely and accurate review of veterans' claims.
  Currently, the court is authorized to have seven permanent judges and 
two temporary additional judges; but absent legislative action, the 
court is expected to revert back to its permanent seven judges without 
the two additional temporary judges. In order to handle the increase in 
claims, this legislation would enable the court to maintain nine judges 
through 2020.
  As we continue to see reports of mismanagement, data manipulation, 
excessive wait times, and lost claims, it is imperative that this 
measure, as included in H.R. 675, is passed to proactively address 
potential complications that could hinder the effectiveness and 
efficiency of the CAVC to review and process veterans' claims. I 
encourage my colleagues to pass H.R. 675.
  I thank the gentleman from Louisiana for introducing the legislation 
and for working with members of the committee to get this well-rounded, 
commonsense legislation to the floor.
  Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the 
gentleman from the Fifth District of Louisiana (Mr. Abraham), the 
chairman of a very critical subcommittee on our Veterans' Affairs 
Committee.
  Mr. ABRAHAM. I thank the chairman.
  Mr. Speaker, as chairman of the Disability Assistance and Memorial 
Affairs Subcommittee, I would like to thank the Veterans' Affairs 
Committee as a whole and leadership on their role in getting this 
important bill to the floor.
  I am proud to have introduced the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-
Living Adjustment Act of 2015, which is also known as COLA.
  The bill provides a cost-of-living adjustment increase to the 
veterans' disability compensation and other veterans' benefits for 
2016. The amount of the increase is the same given to Social Security 
beneficiaries.
  We all understand how important it is for the VA benefits to keep 
pace with the rate of inflation, and our Nation's veterans depend on 
these benefits to pay for housing, food, and other necessities. 
Congress has previously passed similar increases with wide bipartisan 
support because both parties see the need in making sure that our 
American heroes are cared for, which they most markedly deserve.
  I would also like to thank the ranking member, Representative Titus, 
for her support as an original cosponsor of H.R. 675.
  These benefits are instrumental in supporting those who have 
honorably served our Nation. Passing the Veterans' Compensation Cost-
of-Living Adjustment Act of 2015 provides our veterans with much-needed 
peace of mind so that they know their benefits will be secure each 
year.
  We must demand the highest protection of our veterans and their 
financial security. Our veterans are our Nation's heroes; and this 
bill, which enjoys bipartisan support, gives Congress a chance to give 
back to those who have already given so much. I urge the full passage 
of this bill, H.R. 675.
  Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the 
gentleman from the First District of the State of New York (Mr. 
Zeldin), another valued member of our committee.
  Mr. ZELDIN. I thank the chairman for his leadership on the Veterans' 
Affairs Committee and for his unyielding passion toward always putting 
veterans first.
  I thank the great staff as well on both sides of the aisle with the 
Veterans' Affairs Committee. It is a pleasure to serve with all of 
them.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening in support of H.R. 675, which has 
been amended to include my bill, H.R. 1569, the Veterans Estate 
Transfer to Survivors Act, or the VETS Act.
  I am honored to represent the First Congressional District of New 
York, which is located on the east end of Long Island. My district is 
in the County of Suffolk, which has the largest veterans population of 
any county in New York and the second highest in the entire country. 
With so many veterans in my home county, I am extremely proud to serve 
on the House Veterans' Affairs Committee.
  With the passage of H.R. 675, the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-
Living Adjustment Act of 2015, which has been amended to include my 
bill, H.R. 1569, veterans are securing a big victory here in the Halls 
of Congress.

[[Page 12791]]

  The VETS Act is a commonsense reform to the VA benefit payouts that 
will help veterans and their families on Long Island and across the 
country as my legislation would require the Department of Veterans 
Affairs to pay certain benefits that were earned by a veteran to the 
veteran's estate.
  Under current law, if a veteran passes away while the VA is still 
reviewing a claim, the VA no longer has to award the earned benefits. 
Currently, only a veteran's spouse, minor child, or dependent parent is 
eligible to collect the accrued benefits. By adding the estate to the 
current list of beneficiaries, adult children can now also receive the 
benefits earned should there be no other qualifying family members.
  My bill ensures our veteran families, who rightfully earned and 
deserve their benefits, actually receive their benefits even after the 
veteran passes away. I encourage all of my colleagues to support H.R. 
675.
  Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time. I simply 
urge my colleagues to support the passage of H.R. 675, as amended.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I also urge the passage of H.R. 
675, as amended.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 675, the 
Veterans' Compensation Cost of Living Adjustment Act and urge my 
colleagues to vote in favor of it.
  This is an important bill that provides a critical cost-of-living 
increase for the service-connected disability compensation that our 
disabled veterans need and deserve. In addition, it makes other needed 
changes to a number of programs administered by the VA to ensure that 
they better meet the needs of our veterans and their families.
  I am pleased that H.R. 675, as amended by the Veterans Affairs 
Committee, includes the text of my bill, H.R. 995, the ``Veterans Day 
Moment of Silence Act.'' This bipartisan legislation calls for two 
minutes of silence every Veterans Day. Its set time of 2:11 p.m., 
Eastern Standard Time, allows all Americans from coast to coast and 
Puerto Rico to come together to reflect on the service of our veterans, 
past and present. Generations of brave men and women have served our 
nation with honor: risking their lives to keep us safe and free. They 
deserve our support and, most of all our gratitude.
  Mr. Speaker, there are few words that can do justice to the magnitude 
of what our servicemembers have done throughout our history, and 
continue to do for us every day. They leave their families and loved 
ones behind, and go to some of the world's most dangerous places. They 
risk their health and their lives to serve and defend the nation we all 
love. I have had the honor and pleasure of meeting with some of them in 
my travels abroad and I am always moved by their dedication, their 
professionalism, and their courage.
  I would like to thank Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Miller and 
Ranking Member Brown for including the language of ``The Veterans Day 
Moment of Silence Act'' to this bill. I also wish to recognize and 
thank the Bendetson family who first approached me with the concept of 
this tribute. Daniel and Michael Bendetson, along with their father, 
Dr. Peter Bendetson, have worked tirelessly for years to bring this 
proposal to fruition. Finally, I would most like to thank all the 
veterans in my district and across America, in whose honor I am proud 
to have introduced this legislation.
  Once again, I urge my colleagues to support and pass H.R. 675.
  Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, today, the House voted on H.R. 
675, the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2015, 
a bipartisan bill that protects veterans' benefits from inflation. I 
was unavoidably detained; however, if I had been present, I would have 
voted in favor of this much needed legislation.
  Veterans and their families have sacrificed greatly for our country, 
and it is unacceptable that so many military families are struggling 
every day to make ends meet. These brave individuals should never be 
faced with the difficult choice of either paying their bills or feeding 
their families. As the greatest country in the world, we have a moral 
obligation to fix this situation and provide veterans with the 
compensation and support they deserve. I believe this bill is a strong 
first step in the right direction.
  Today, I applaud my colleagues in Congress for voting in favor of 
struggling veterans, disabled former service members, and their 
families by supporting the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living 
Adjustment Act of 2015. Moreover, I ask my fellow Members of Congress 
to continue advocating for our veterans by encouraging companies to 
hire vets while also addressing the systemic problems within the VA 
healthcare system.
  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, H.R. 675, as amended.
  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. MILLER of Florida. Mr. 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, further 
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.

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