VETERANS: Murray Joins New Push to Help Veterans with Cost of Living Increases

MURRAY: We need to provide our veterans with the benefits they deserve

(Washington, D.C.)—Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, co-sponsored new legislation to increase veterans’ disability benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill, the Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2015, would increase the rates of VA disability compensation, dependency compensation for surviving children and spouses, and the clothing allowance for veterans based on rising costs of living.

“We as a country make a promise to veterans to care for them when they return home after serving, and they deserve nothing less than the full support of their nation,” said Senator Patty Murray. “As the cost of living continues to rise, it’s just common sense to increase veterans’ benefits to match.”

The Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) is designed to offset inflation and other factors that lead to the rising cost of living over time. The COLA rate is based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index. The adjustment for veterans would go into effect on December 1, 2015.

The Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2015 was introduced by Senators Johnny Isakson, R-GA, and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and original co-sponsors include Sens. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., John Boozman, R-Ark., Dean Heller, R-Nev., Bill Cassidy, R-La., Mike Rounds, R-S.D., Thom Tillis, R-N.C., Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska., Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, Jon Tester, D-Mont., Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, and Joe Manchin, D-W.V.