Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7846, the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2022. This bill would require the Department of Veterans Affairs to increase the amounts payable for wartime disability compensation, compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled veterans, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children. Specifically, VA would be required to increase benefit amounts by the same percentage as the cost-of-living increase in benefits for Social Security recipients. To me, the cost-of-living adjustment to veterans' compensation is more than just a rate adjustment tied to inflation. It is a quality-of- life guarantee for veterans and their families. This annual COLA is not only a source of personal comfort for former servicemembers as they age; it assures that their survivors will not see a decline in earned benefits should the economy fluctuate and costs rise once their beloved veteran is no longer with us. I know this because veterans and their family members from all over the country relay these same exact sentiments to me. The COLA is the continued recognition by a grateful nation of the service and sacrifice of those who have stepped up to serve. This gesture of appreciation is one of the most rewarding responsibilities of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.…”