Veterans' Compensation Cost-Of-Living Adjustment Act of 2022

Floor Speech

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Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7846) to increase, effective as of December 1, 2022, 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. 7846

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 2022''. SEC. 2. INCREASE IN RATES OF DISABILITY COMPENSATION AND DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION.

(a) Rate Adjustment.--Effective on December 1, 2022, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall increase, in accordance with subsection (c), the dollar amounts in effect on November 30, 2022, 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, 2022, 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 2023.

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Mr. TAKANO. 7846.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7846, the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2022.

This bill would require the Department of Veterans Affairs to increase the amounts payable for wartime disability compensation, compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled veterans, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children.

Specifically, VA would be required to increase benefit amounts by the same percentage as the cost-of-living increase in benefits for Social Security recipients.

To me, the cost-of-living adjustment to veterans' compensation is more than just a rate adjustment tied to inflation. It is a quality-of- life guarantee for veterans and their families.

This annual COLA is not only a source of personal comfort for former servicemembers as they age; it assures that their survivors will not see a decline in earned benefits should the economy fluctuate and costs rise once their beloved veteran is no longer with us. I know this because veterans and their family members from all over the country relay these same exact sentiments to me.

The COLA is the continued recognition by a grateful nation of the service and sacrifice of those who have stepped up to serve. This gesture of appreciation is one of the most rewarding responsibilities of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. As chairman, I am honored to be leading this effort to express our thanks.

I would like to recognize the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs for, once again, originating this legislation for floor consideration today, and I thank Chair Luria and Ranking Member Nehls for their sponsorship and steadfast assistance to our vets.

I am pleased we are voting on this bill early to alleviate any doubt that this adjustment will be in place come December.

Mr. Speaker, I wholeheartedly support H.R. 7846, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

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Mr. TAKANO. My good friend is the chair of the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee.

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Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in passing H.R. 7846, the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2022, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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