McConnell Announces Senate Passage of Bill to Increase COLAs for Kentucky Veterans

Press Release

U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell announced tonight that a bill he cosponsored to help increase cost of living benefits for our veterans has passed the Senate. Senator McConnell was one of 15 cosponsors of the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Act of 2014. The legislation would direct the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure Kentucky veterans would receive their cost-of-living increases and disability compensation for the year.

"I have heard from many Kentucky veterans who are concerned they would not receive their COLA this year," Senator McConnell said. "Our veterans have fought hard to defend our country and our freedom and I am honored to fight on their behalf in the United States Senate. I am pleased the Senate has taken action to help Kentucky's veterans, military retirees and their families."

Senator McConnell is a longtime supporter of COLA increases for veterans and military retirees. Most recently, he voted against a reduction in COLA benefits for military retirees that was authorized in the December 2013 budget agreement. He later introduced a measure to reinstate this full benefit and voted for legislation enacted in February 2014 that reinstated the full COLA for all military retirees.

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