BILL PASSED: Do You Support Cost of Living Benefits For Veterans? - Veteran's COLA Act - S.777
Do you support this new bill?
The Bill
S.777- Veteran's COLA Act
Bill Details
- Sponsored by Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) on March 14, 2023
- Sen. Tester is the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman
- Committee: Senate - Veterans Affairs
- Became law on June 14, 2023 - Public Law No: 118-6
Bill Overview
- The bipartisan legislation is an annual procedure for Congress, but it is vital in ensuring that veterans' benefits keep pace with inflationary costs.
- As of Dec. 1, the bill increases the rate of compensation for veterans with service-related injuries and indemnity compensation for the family members of the survivors of specific service-related injuries.
- Increases amounts payable for clothing allowances for certain disabled veterans. Veterans can expect to see higher benefit payments starting in Jan. 2024.
- To stay informed, subscribe to the #VetResources newsletter.
What's in the Bill?
A bipartisan bill to support veterans
- With costs of living rising, the bill provides compensation adjustments to support disabled veterans to meet their needs.
Brings benefits to the cost of living adjustment for Social Security
- The 2024 benefits will be equal to those applied to Social Security benefits, as determined by the Social Security Administration.
Benefits based on the Consumer Price Index
- The exact amount of next year's adjustment has not been determined.
- The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures the average change in prices of goods and services due to inflation.
- The adjustment in Jan. 2023, for instance, which Veterans are currently receiving, saw an 8.7% increase over the year prior.
What Sponsors are Saying
"At a time when folks are struggling with rising costs, from housing to groceries, veterans deserve absolute certainty when it comes to providing for their families. That's why I'm proud to have worked with my Republican and Democratic colleagues to deliver a cost of living increase to millions of disabled veterans and survivors across the country. As Chairman, I'll always fight to make sure the men and women who put their lives on the line get the support they need and earned."
- The Veterans' COLA Act is supported by The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America, AMVETS, Vietnam Veterans of America, Gold Star Wives, TAPS, Wounded Warrior Project, Military Officers Association of America, and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.
Do you support this new bill?
—Emma Kansiz
(Photo Credit: Canva)
The Latest
-
Women Are Shaping This Election — Why Is the Media Missing It?As we reflect on the media coverage of this election season, it’s clear that mainstream outlets have zeroed in on the usual read more... Elections
-
Your Share of the National Debt is ... $105,000The big picture: The U.S. federal deficit for fiscal year 2024 hit a staggering $1.8 trillion, according to the Congressional read more... Deficits & Debt
-
Election News: Second Trump Assassination Attempt, and Poll UpdatesElection Day is 6 weeks away. Here's what's going on in the polls and the presidential candidates' campaigns. September 24 , read more... Congress Shenanigans
-
More Women Face Pregnancy-Related Charges After Roe’s Fall, Report FindsWhat’s the story? A report released by Pregnancy Justice, a women's health advocacy group, found that women have been read more... Advocacy
I'm fine with COLA for all federal benefits, including for veterans. In a time of inflation, there's no reason those relying on the government for income or assistance should struggle. This is the richest country in the world, and our veterans deserve the best pension and healthcare.
I'm glad this passed.
Yes, cost of living has skyrocketed. Increase fund for veterans and social security. There also should be adjustments for cost of living regionally.
I support the raising of benefits for veterans and raising military wages- However, I DO NOT support the right wing amendments added to the build to strip measures of diversity from the bill. Nor the interference in the controlling curricuum taught in Dodea schools. The military is diverse and the students in the schools deserve to be taught the facts with a curriculum that teaches background if ALl of the students' background.
The very least we should do for those who risk their health and life in the service of this country!
I'm all for anything that supports our military and our veterans as long as they get it and it doesn't get spent on the bureaucracy!
Not without the removal of Senator Tommy Tuberville from his committee assignments. He doesn't value his role and has impeded promotions that not only benefit the country but benefit the military who occupy these positions.
Yes we need to pay our military! Fund this with a sur tax on billionaires! They directly benefit from having a safe secure country to keep their fortunes in !
As a veteran, I would support this bill 100% and I would hope that you all as federal lawmakers would support it as well.
Senators Grassley & Ernst:
You must find a way to force votes to approve our senior military appointees against Sen. Tuberville's hold. This is disgraceful and dangerous to our national security, as well as being a terrible precedent to politicize our military which should be apolitical. This is not a political but security. Sen. Ernst, you especially should know how ruinous these holds on our readiness and ability to attract quality people to careers in military service. The families of these personnel are severely impacted by this political grandstanding. Stand up for proper staffing and treatment of our military!
If you don't support this bill, I never want to hear you say you support servicemen and veterans
Why is this annual?
This bill is important to me because I have veteran Family & Friends who put their lives and families on hold and in danger to Serve the general population while we get to enjoy our lives & Families n safety. Protect those who sacrifice their lives in every way imaginable to protect US.
Our veterans deserve the best the government can give. I don't understand why this is even an issue.
Socialism? The Republican Party doesn't even know what socialism is!
Capitalism and socialism are economic systems that countries use to manage their economic resources and regulate their means of production.Left to themselves, economies tend to combine elements of both systems. Capitalism has developed safety nets with socialism such as FEMA, social security, Medicare and Medicaid , SNAP, Food stamp, housing assistance, energy and utilities, education and childcare assistance, corporation and business subsidy, SFB, infrastructure, fire protection, transportation, police department, public parks, postal service, military and even war and voting! There is over 75 programs in the USA, that support community, city, county, states and the country.
Republicans party Cutting Society security, Medicare, Medicaid, Food programs, safety nets, disability benefits, federal insurance programs (FEMA), plus giving tax cuts to corporations and wealthy with trickle up, not down, and screwing over and attacking the American people freedom and rights! Say they need a raise? May be the should join a union?
I agree with the cost of living increase because no Veteran...Soldier should ever have to struggle to live after serving with their Life! It's only right! Thank you
Of course vets should get a cost of living increase. They risked their lives for the country. Anyone who votes against this falls into the love the soldier, hate the vet category.
Veterans amount to 1% of our countries population that serve. Of course they deserve a COLA increase. Our country spends more on assisting illegal immigrants with housing, education, welfare, medical than most other forms of aid to legal Americans. Our legislators are quick to blame veterans, seniors and handicapped for excessive expenses. No war fronts now so it is easy to blame veterans.
No one should be living in poverty - military or civilian. Any measure to reduce poverty must be supported regardless of what the financial cost may be.
COL increases should be standard for Vets, Retired military, and I would consider it for those retired and qualifying for Medicare throughout the population.
Say it's not true about republicans!
If you notice Jim Jordan got up and left!
The problem is that too often Congress practices "Kick the Can."
Why weren't COLAs built into Veteran's Benefits? COLAs should kick in automatically based on economic data.
Congress' shortsightedness turns everything into an unnecessary struggle. In particular, the Republican tax cuts for the wealthy are undermining our economy.
Their base just doesn't understand and their preferred media sources love to keep the base ill-informed.