U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.) Tuesday supported House passage of legislation to provide an annual cost-of-living benefit increase for veterans with service-connected disabilities and to promote on-the-job training programs to help returning veterans secure jobs.
"I was pleased and proud to support this legislation to help honor the debt we owe to our Nation's veterans," said Rahall, a senior member of the House Military Veterans Caucus. "The American Heroes COLA Act will provide our veterans and their loved ones with a sense of security in knowing their annual COLA will happen automatically each year, taking the politics out of the equation."
H.R. 570, the American Heroes COLA Act, would provide for automatic, annual cost-of-living increases in the rates of veterans' disability compensation and in monthly benefits for surviving spouses and dependent children. The COLA increase would take effect on December 1, and would equal the cost-of-living adjustment payable to Social Security recipients. Currently, the Congress must pass legislation each year providing for the veterans COLA.
Rahall also supported H.R. 1412, the Improving Job Opportunities for Veterans Act, which directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to promote on-the-job training and apprenticeship programs available to veterans and to enter into agreements with the heads of other federal departments and agencies to operate similar on-the-job training programs.
"When our veterans return home, they often find it difficult to find employment. We owe them our best effort to ensure that they can land solid jobs and transition back to civilian life. I supported the Improving Job Opportunities for Veterans Act as one important step in that effort," said Rahall.
The House passed the American Heroes COLA Act by voice vote and the Improving Job Opportunities for Veterans Act by a vote of 416 - 0. Both bills will now be sent to the Senate for consideration.