President Joe Biden on June 14 signed into law a bipartisan bill cosponsored by U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) that requires the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to increase annual cost-of-living payments to the nation’s military veterans.
“I am pleased the president has signed this legislation into law to provide veterans with the stability they deserve,” Sen. Moran said on Wednesday.
Sen. Moran on March 14 signed on as the lead original cosponsor of the Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Act of 2023, S. 777, which was sponsored by U.S. Rep. Jon Tester (D-MT). Among the nine other original cosponsors of the bill were U.S. Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Thom Tillis (R-NC).
Under S. 777, the VA would increase amounts payable for wartime disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled veterans, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children.
Specifically, the VA must increase the amounts payable by the same percentage as the cost-of-living increase in benefits for Social Security recipients that is effective on Dec. 1, and requires the VA to publish the amounts payable, as increased, in the Federal Register, according to the congressional record bill summary.
“We have a responsibility to provide care and support for our nation’s veterans and their families,” Sen. Moran said. “Many of these veterans rely on the VA for financial support, especially with current rising costs and inflation. Ensuring their benefits keep pace with these price increases will help provide disabled veterans and certain surviving spouses and children with peace of mind.”
The legislation received support from the nation’s leading veterans and survivor groups, including 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.
“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,” said Sen. Tester. “That’s why I’m proud to have worked with Sen. Moran and our colleagues to deliver a cost of living increase to millions of disabled veterans and survivors across the country.”