American Heroes COLA Act

Floor Speech

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Ms. TITUS. Thank you, Ranking Member Michaud, for yielding and for your work and leadership on this critical issue that affects our Nation's heroes.

I support the American Heroes COLA Act, H.R. 570, which I introduced, along with my colleague and subcommittee chairman, JOHN RUNYAN. This is important legislation that will protect our disabled veterans and their families' financial security.

Unlike with Social Security COLA increases, which are calculated automatically, Congress must act each year to provide veterans with their COLA increases they need and deserve. Our Nation's heroes should receive their full compensation payment each year as well in a timely fashion, removed from the occasional logjam here on Capitol Hill. Their livelihood should not be held hostage by political forces.

Nevada's veterans have struggled during this tough economic climate. Their rates of unemployment and homelessness are disproportionately
high, and as the cost of living has increased, so have their problems. And I know this is true of veterans around the country.

By permanently adjusting benefits to include automatic cost-of-living increases we are providing critical peace of mind to those who have bravely served our country. They will have the knowledge of knowing that assistance will be there.

Chairman Runyan and I have worked closely to improve this legislation since we first introduced the bill in February, and I fully support the amended version we are considering today. Changes concerning the round-down practice and the chained CPI are changes that will strengthen the bill.

I appreciate also the input we received from a number of veterans service organizations and believe that this improved version of the legislation clearly addresses their concerns.

In effect, H.R. 570 will direct the VA to increase rates of disability compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities, as well as the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of veterans with specific service-connected claims.

The bill will protect veterans benefits from deteriorating over time as the costs of housing, medicine, food and clothing and utilities all increase.

I want to echo Ranking Member Michaud's sentiments regarding the importance of having these adjustments occur annually, regularly, and dependably. It's essential that Congress provide for the needs of our heroes, the brave men and women who answered the call to serve in our armed services, and for their families as well.

I thank Chairman Miller and Chairman Runyan for their work on this important issue, and I urge my colleagues to support the American Heroes COLA Act.

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