OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2011

Floor Speech

Date: May 23, 2011
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Veterans

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Mr. STUTZMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of Chairman Runyan's H.R. 1407, as amended, the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2011.

In addition to authorizing a cost of living increase for VA disability compensation for FY 2012, which I support, the bill contains provisions introduced by my Ranking Member Braley of the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, as the Andrew Connolly Veterans' Housing Act. These provisions would extend the Temporary Residence Grant commonly called the TRA grant program for five years.

The TRA program offers severely disabled veterans the opportunity to use a small portion of their Specially Adapted Housing grant to renovate the home of a family member to assist the veteran while the veteran is residing in the home on a temporary basis.

This program is needed because many severely injured veterans need temporary housing while their long-term home is adapted to meet their disabilities. For some veterans that temporary residence is that of a parent or sibling.

Anyone who attended the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity's hearing on Mr. Braley's bill could not be impressed by the courage shown by Mr. Connolly and his wife, Jennifer. Mr. Connolly is a former member of the Iowa National Guard unit that had the longest tour of duty in Iraq of any Guard unit.

Unfortunately, he has been diagnosed with cancer of the spine and is confined to a wheelchair. His young son is also wheelchair-bound and is afflicted with a disease that requires the child to be on a respirator around-the-clock for life. That we would not extend a benefit that would make life better for Mr. and Mrs. Connolly is unthinkable and I applaud Mr. Braley for his work.

I also thank Chairman Miller, Ranking Member Filner, and Chairman Runyan for including the provisions of the Andrew Connolly Veterans' Housing Act in this must-pass legislation. I urge all Members to support H.R. 1407 as amended.

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