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

Mr. President, today I am introducing the River Democracy Act of 2021, to add 4,702 miles of rivers and streams in Oregon to the national Wild and Scenic Rivers system to protect the recreational opportunities, clean drinking water, fish, and wildlife

habitat that they provide from harmful activities.

Oregon's 110,994 miles of rivers and streams are an invaluable part of Oregon's livability and an irreplaceable resource that must remain intact for future generations. Currently, Oregon has only protected 2% (2,173 miles) of rivers and streams under the national Wild and Scenic Rivers system--including gems like the Rogue and Deschutes Rivers and many other iconic salmon and steelhead streams.

Our rivers and streams are Oregon's lifeblood--they provide clean drinking water to millions of Oregonians, sustain our thriving outdoor recreation economy, nurture the salmon and steelhead that fuel our important commercial and recreational fishing industries, and help maintain the quality of life that brings new investments, businesses, and jobs to our state. Oregon's outdoor recreation industry is an economic engine in Oregon. According to the Outdoor Recreation Industry, it supports 224,000 jobs and generates $15.6 billion in economic activity. Healthy rivers are the foundation for Oregon's outdoor recreation economy.

With the climate crisis worsening, access to clean and safe drinking water has perhaps never been more important. America's Wild and Scenic Rivers Act aims to protect and preserve the character of our nation's most important rivers while balancing recreation, multiple use, habitat, and conservation. It encourages public participation in developing goals for river protection, and helps safeguard important waterways as a legacy for future generations.

While I am proud that Oregon has 2,173 miles of protected Wild and Scenic Rivers, it is still a small fraction of Oregon's total river mileage.

On October 2, 2019, I began a public process to solicit recommendations from Oregonians on rivers and streams that deserve protection under the national Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. I held several open-to-all public meetings specifically to hear from Oregonians and gather feedback. The topic has also come up at most townhalls I've since held. Since then, nearly 2,500 Oregonians submitted over 15,000 nominations.

I called on Oregonians to help me develop new legislation to protect Oregon's rivers and they, clearly and loudly, responded. Whether they were a whitewater rafter, a brewer, an elementary school science student, an angler or simply an Oregonian who believes strongly in protecting rivers or streams that provide safe drinking water to their community, they had the chance to speak up for their favorite rivers and highlight the outstanding values that make each river worthy of protection.

Today, I am continuing the effort to protect rivers and streams, drinking water, recreation opportunities, and fish and wildlife habitat. The River Democracy Act represents the best of the Oregon Way--when every Oregonian had the chance to nominate their favorite river or stream worthy of protection under America's Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Ultimately, this is the starting point for future conversations about river conservation in Oregon.

Based on the suggestions of Oregonians, the River Democracy Act would add 4,702 miles of rivers and streams in Oregon to the national Wild and Scenic Rivers system with the goals of creating a flexible land management tool that expands recreation access, protects drinking water, reduces wildfire threats, maintains cultural and historic land management practices, and sustains endangered fish and wildlife species.

The bill requires federal land managers to assess wildfire risks in Wild and Scenic River corridors, implement a plan to reduce wildfire risks to homes and businesses near Wild and Scenic Rivers, assist local governments to mitigate wildfire risks, and restore water quality should a fire strike near a Wild and Scenic River.

The River Democracy Act encourages Federal land managers to develop river management plans in collaboration with Native American tribes, and ensures Tribes have a say in how rivers are managed.

The bill ensures that only Federal lands are affected by Wild and Scenic designations, while protecting private property rights, water rights, and existing permits and rights of way on Federal lands.

It is important to note that each river segment in this bill was selected for specific outstanding remarkable values. A chart that shows the specific outstanding remarkable values for each one can be found at https://www.wyden.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/ORVs%20chart%202-2-2l.pdf.

Oregonians know their rivers provide more than just electricity. They are the spawning grounds for some of the nation's richest runs of salmon and steelhead. They provide extraordinary trout fishing and unparalleled recreation. They are the source of safe, clean and delicious drinking water. Oregon's rivers are, most of all, an important part of our very special quality of life that needs to be preserved for future generations of Oregonians.

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. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 84, S. 189.

I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported substitute amendment be agreed to; that the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time and passed; that the committee-reported amendment to the title be agreed to; and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.