Veterans' Compensation Cost-Of-Living Adjustment Act of 2024

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my support for H.R. 7777, the Veterans Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2024.

As we do every year, today, we are considering legislation to increase payments 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, this bill mandates that the VA raise these benefit amounts by the same percentage as the cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, provided to Social Security recipients.

This ensures that veterans and their families maintain their quality of life and are protected from reductions in their earned benefits as economic conditions shift.

The cost-of-living adjustment reflects our Nation's ongoing gratitude for the service and sacrifice of not only those who have bravely worn our Nation's uniform but also to their families, who bear significant burdens as well. As the ranking member of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I am honored to support this effort.

I also commend the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs and extend my thanks to Ranking Member Pappas and Chairman Luttrell for sponsoring this year's House bill and for their steadfast commitment to supporting our veterans.

I fully support H.R. 7777 and urge my colleagues to do the same. I also call on the Senate to swiftly pass this measure.

I ask all my colleagues to join me in passing H.R. 7777, the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2024, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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