Federal Employees News Digest
Senate OKs vets' COLA
- By FEND Staff
- November 26, 2012
The Senate this month unanimously approved a bill that gives veterans a 1.7 percent cost-of-living adjustment, matching the annual increase provided to Social Security recipients.
According to Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee and a strong supporter of the bill, an unnamed Senate Republican previously blocked the bill, preventing it from moving forward.
“A cost-of-living increase for our veterans is well deserved. Particularly in this difficult economy, our veterans deserve a boost in their benefits to help make ends meet,” Murray said. “ I am so glad we were finally able to move forward with passage of this bill. Caring for our nation’s veterans should never be a partisan issue.”
The COLA will affect veterans’ disability compensation, dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children, and other benefits.