Veterans' Compensation Cost-Of-Living Adjustment Act of 2020

Floor Speech

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Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6168) to increase, effective as of December 1, 2020, 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.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 6168

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans' Compensation Cost- of-Living Adjustment Act of 2020''. SEC. 2. INCREASE IN RATES OF DISABILITY COMPENSATION AND DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION.

(a) Rate Adjustment.--Effective on December 1, 2020, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall increase, in accordance with subsection (c), the dollar amounts in effect on November 30, 2020, 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.--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, 2020, as a result of a determination under section 215(i) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 415(i)).

(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. 3. PUBLICATION OF ADJUSTED RATES.

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall publish in the Federal Register the amounts specified in section 2(b), as increased under that section, not later than the date on which the 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 2021.

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Mr. TAKANO. 6168.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 6168, the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2020 increases veterans' disability compensation at the same rate as the annual Social Security increase. This puts a little extra money in the pockets of our disabled veterans and their families to make sure VA benefits keep pace with inflation.

While this increase may be a small one, it is an essential one that veterans and their families rely on us passing each year. In my time as chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, I have had the opportunity to speak to and know many veterans. Many of them highlight this bill as a priority for them and their families.

The cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, is vital for ensuring that veterans' benefits do not decline due to changes in the economy. For veterans with service-connected disabilities, this annual change is an assurance to them and their families that their benefits will remain consistent. It is a guarantee we make to them and a great source of comfort to many veterans and their families.

As our country deals with the novel coronavirus pandemic, and the severe economic effects it will have, it is more important than ever that we pass this yearly COLA increase so that veterans and their families trust that their benefits will not decline due to inflation.

I want to recognize the work of the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee chair, Elaine Luria, for introducing H.R. 6168. I wholeheartedly support H.R. 6168, and urge all of my colleagues to do so as well.

Mr. DAVID P. ROE of Tennessee.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6168, the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2020. The bill was introduced by Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee Chair Elaine Luria and Ranking Member Mike Bost. I appreciate their leadership on this important issue.

The Department of Veterans Affairs provides compensation benefits to help fulfill our obligation to take care of the brave men and women who have been injured during their service to this great Nation.

H.R. 6168 would authorize a cost-of-living increase for veterans and their families next year, if Social Security recipients receive an increase. The annual COLA is necessary to help veterans and families afford their living expenses when prices go up.

Currently, many of our Nation's veterans may have been affected by this pandemic and are worried about how they are going to pay their bills. The last thing that should be on their minds is whether the value of their VA benefits will keep pace with inflation.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage all Members to support H.R. 6168.

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Mr. TAKANO. 6168, and a former naval commander.

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Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I, too, urge all of my colleagues to join me in passing H.R. 6168.

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