Veterans' Compensation Cost-Of-Living Adjustment Act of 2018

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4958, the Veterans Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act.

As the chairman said, it is our responsibility to make sure the guarantee of these benefits is not eroded by inflation. It provides for a simple cost-of-living adjustment at the same rate as set for Social Security benefits. It may seem like a small amount in any one year, but without the adjustment for inflation, the impact on veterans' finances is significant when compounded over time.

Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the subcommittee chairman, Mike Bost, for his work, and Elizabeth Esty, both for cosponsoring the bill and bringing it to us today.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Roe and his staff for their work clearing this bill. It is an important one. Our veterans have been waiting for word on this. I think I am happy to report it looks like we have taken that step moving it forward. It will make a lot of folks happy.

I hear about this one a lot, so you know it is on their minds. It just makes sense, and doing it before Memorial Day sends a really strong message.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support H.R. 4958, and I reserve the balance of my time.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. WALZ. Mr. Speaker, this is a good piece of legislation. I thank the gentleman for bringing it up. The taxpayers understand that this is exactly what we are supposed to be doing. I encourage a ``yes'' vote, and I yield back the balance of my time.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source