[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 44 (Monday, November 6, 2000)]
[Page 2719]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
 Statement on Signing the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living 
Adjustment Act of 2000

 November 1, 2000

     Today I am pleased to sign into law H.R. 4850, the ``Veterans' 
Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2000.'' The Act directs 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide a cost-of-living adjustment 
(COLA) in benefits for service-disabled veterans and their surviving 
spouses and children, effective December 1, 2000. It provides for higher 
payments of disability compensation to veterans who suffer from service-
connected disabilities and for higher payments of dependency and 
indemnity compensation for the surviving spouses and children of 
servicemembers and veterans whose deaths were service-connected. 
Consistent with the proposal in my Fiscal Year 2001 Budget, the COLA in 
these benefits is equal to the one that will be provided under current 
law to Social Security beneficiaries and veterans pension recipients: 
3.5 percent. This Act ensures that the value of these well-deserved 
benefits will keep pace with inflation.
     This group of American citizens deserves our Nation's gratitude, 
particularly those who have suffered disability or have made the supreme 
sacrifice while serving their country and protecting our freedom. This 
Act expresses our appreciation for and continued commitment to these 
brave men and women.
                                            William J. Clinton
 The White House,
 November 1, 2000.

  Note:  H.R. 4850, approved November 1, was assigned Public Law No. 
106-413.