Bipartisan legislation has been introduced in the U.S. Senate that ensures disability compensation and other financial benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs for veterans and military survivors keep pace with rising costs and inflation.
Sens. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) – chairman and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs - introduced the Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment of 2025 (COLA) Act on June 23.
The bill mandates that VA increase benefit amounts by the same percentage as Social Security's COLA, which for 2025 is 2.5 percent.
“We have a commitment to care for our veterans and their families, and the annual cost-of-living adjustment makes certain VA benefits are keeping up with changes in our economy,” Moran said in a statement. “These adjustments will help VA better support veterans living with a disability, their dependents and survivors by keeping pace with inflation and Social Security benefit increases to provide veterans and their families the financial stability they deserve.”
The legislation would also increase certain VA benefits, including disability compensation, clothing allowances and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children to reflect the reality of increases in the everyday cost of living.
“Veterans deserve a fair shake amid the rising costs of housing and inflation,” said Blumenthal. “I’m proud to join Chairman Moran to introduce this legislation that will make sure veterans and their families’ VA benefits are keeping pace with these costs. It’s what we promised veterans — and what they earned.”
This legislation is co-sponsored by Sens. John Boozman (R-Ark.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Angus King Jr. (I-Maine), Jim Banks (R-Ohio), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) and Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.).
The full text of the legislation can be found here.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.