Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2021

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 189) to increase, effective as of December 1, 2021, 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.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to insert extraneous material on S. 189.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, S. 189, the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2021, would require the Secretary of Veterans' Affairs to increase the rates of disability compensation for service- connected veterans and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for survivors of veterans, effective December 1, 2021.

This bill would also increase these rates by the same percentage as the percentage by which Social Security benefits are increased, effective December 1, 2021, and require that the VA publish the increased rates in the Federal Register.

To me, the actual cost-of-living adjustment to veterans' benefits, otherwise known as COLA, is much more than a rate adjustment tied to inflation. In reality, it is a quality-of-life guarantee in the retirement years, especially for veterans suffering with service- connected disabilities and ailments.

It also comes with the assurance for veterans that their survivors will not see a steady decline in benefits if the economy changes and costs rise after they have passed. This guarantee is a great source of comfort for veterans as they age. I know this because they tell me this everywhere I go.

The yearly COLA increase demonstrates the appreciation from a grateful nation in recognition of the service and sacrifice of those who volunteer to wear the uniform of our country.

Participating in this gesture of gratitude is one of the most rewarding responsibilities of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. As chairman, I am honored to be leading this effort to say thank you.

I want to recognize the work of the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee chair, Elaine Luria, and ranking member Troy Nehls for sponsoring S. 189's House companion, H.R. 3909, and for bringing this legislation to the floor with me today.

I am pleased that we are considering this bill early this year so veterans will not be concerned about its passage by the December 1 deadline. This is especially important to so many feeling the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

I wholeheartedly support S. 189, and I urge all my colleagues to do so as well.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Virginia (Mrs. Luria), my good friend and the chair of the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all my colleagues to join me in passing S. 189, The Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2021, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2021. Simply put, this is a well-deserved and necessary pay raise for our disabled veterans.

I am proud to represent a district with eight major military installations, including Naval Station Norfolk, the largest naval station in the world.

Ours is a community where one in five people is either active duty servicemembers, veterans, or a military family member.

Our veterans, no matter where they were deployed or in what capacity they served, swore an oath to protect and defend the Constitution. They risked their lives thousands of miles away to keep America safe. And as a 20-year Navy veteran myself, I am proud to support this bill to ensure that every veteran can continue to use their benefits they earned in service to our country.

The Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2021, the Senate companion to my House bill, H.R. 3909, enhances benefits for wartime disability compensation, compensation for dependents, clothing allowance, dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses, and compensation to children. It increases the same way that Social Security benefits increase to meet the rising cost of living.

We have seen costs for disability care, clothing, and childcare increase over the years, and it is vital that we continue to provide benefits that actually meet the demands our veterans face every day.

Providing quality benefits to our veterans and their dependents can change lives, and Congress must honor the commitment to those American heroes who served.

Again, I urge swift passage of S. 189 so that we can responsibly assist our Nation's veterans once again.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 189, the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2021. This bill will help ensure that benefits paid to veterans who are disabled as a result of their military service do not lose value because of inflation.

S. 189 authorizes a cost-of-living increase for veterans and their families next year as long as Social Security recipients receive an increase.

Many disabled veterans and their families rely on these compensation benefits to pay their bills, such as mortgage payments and groceries. In some cases, these benefits may even be the veteran's only income. Moreover, VA benefits are providing much-needed financial support to many veterans facing uncertainty due to this pandemic.

We must pass this bill and ensure that compensation benefits for our disabled veterans keep pace with rising costs.

I would like to thank Senator Thune for introducing this important legislation. I urge my colleagues to support S. 189.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage all my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.