Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2011
Floor Speech
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Mr. WALZ of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I would like to thank the chairman, the gentleman from Minnesota, for bringing this bill and the others to the floor today. It's appropriate, as we are approaching Memorial Day, that we are working to fight for our veterans. But I think that all of us who get the opportunity to work in that VA Committee know that the chairman's focus on veterans is every day of the year, not just Memorial Day, and this is certainly a good one.
I rise in wholehearted support of the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Act of 2011, as amended. While we don't control the COLA, the chairman and everyone in the committee understood how important it was to get this forward, get there with Social Security when that's enacted. It is important that these payments are made on time. This Nation has a solemn and moral responsibility to our veterans, and this is just one more way to make sure that we do what's right.
I also would like to thank the chairman for including Mr. Braley's bill, the Andrew Connolly Act. It's really important. I think all of us who heard the testimony of Mr. Connolly and his family--a true American hero, someone who is doing everything right--want to make sure that we share that pain with him and his family for the costs that he has given going to war.
That grant is intended to assist eligible veterans to adapt a family member's home to provide a barrier-free living environment, to make sure that they have the highest level of independent living as possible. And so, again, I thank you for that.
I would, if I could, for just a moment, Mr. Chairman, just put in a slight plug, if I may, for a bill I'd like to see moved with this: H.R. 1025, the bill recognizing our reservists for their service and then being able to call themselves ``veterans.'' And I want to thank the majority and minority staff working on that; keep moving that in the future if at all possible. But your unwavering support of this piece of legislation, this bill, has been absolutely necessary. We worked on it together in committee the way it should be, and your leadership in bringing it to the floor is certainly appreciated.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
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Mr. WALZ of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, I would like to also thank the distinguished gentleman from New Jersey, the chairman of the subcommittee. Thank you for your work on this. You're absolutely right. This is one that's supported; it is the work for our veterans. Together, you did a fine job of moving this through, Mr. Chairman. And we are certainly proud to support it.
I'm sorry, Mr. Miller. I tried to move you north from Florida. I just had Minnesota on my mind. This time of year, it's not bad, though.
Thank you for your work on this. It's a great bill.
I have no further requests for time, Madam Speaker, and I yield back the balance of my time.
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