Veterans' Compensation Cost-Of-Living Adjustment Act of 2024
Floor Speech
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7777) to increase, effective as of December 1, 2024, 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. 7777
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 2024''. SEC. 2. INCREASE IN RATES OF DISABILITY COMPENSATION AND DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION.
(a) Rate Adjustment.--Effective on December 1, 2024, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall increase, in accordance with subsection (c), the dollar amounts in effect on November 30, 2024, 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, 2024, 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 2025.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. BOST. 7777.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7777, offered by my friend and fellow veteran, Representative Luttrell.
This bill will ensure that VA compensation benefits for veterans and their surviving loved ones keep pace with inflation and the increased cost of living.
Veterans and their families often depend on VA compensation benefits to pay for daily living expenses and to support their families. This bill would help them meet their financial needs by increasing the amount of certain disability compensation benefits by the same percentage as the cost-of-living increase for Social Security benefits recipients.
Congress must pass the cost-of-living adjustment every year to ensure that our veterans and their loved ones cover their expenses and keep food on the table for their families.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 7777, and I reserve the balance of my time.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, once again, I encourage Members to support the legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Source