Committee Moves Runyan Veterans 2012 COLA Legislation Forward

Press Release

Earlier today the full House Veterans Affairs Committee voted on and passed Congressman Jon Runyan's (R-NJ) bi-partisan legislation to grant a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for our nation's veterans for 2012. The legislation, H.R. 4114 the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2012, passed by voice vote. This critical legislation would tie veterans' disability compensation rates to the cost-of-living adjustment for Social Security benefits for 2012.

"I am pleased that the Veterans Affairs Committee passed this important piece of legislation," said Congressman Runyan. "Veterans have sacrificed so much for the United States and it is important that veterans receiving benefit payments receive a COLA, just as Americans receiving Social Security. Without my bill disabled veterans, the dependents, and survivors would not see this increase this year. I look forward to working with the leadership of the House of Representatives to ensure this bill is voted and passed in a timely manner."

Last year, S. 894, the Senate companion bill to Representative Runyan's legislation, H.R. 1407, the Veterans' Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2011, was passed by both chambers of Congress with Congressman Runyan's leadership. It was signed into law on November 9, 2011. This was the first veterans COLA increase since 2009. H.R. 4114 will provide a COLA for 2012.

Representative Runyan is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, House Veterans Affairs Committee, and the Natural Resources Committee. He also serves as the Chairman of the Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.

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