House clears increase in veterans’ disability payments

The House on Tuesday evening cleared legislation to increase compensation benefits for veterans with disabilities.

Passed by voice vote, S. 2258 would hike veterans’ disability compensation starting on Dec. 1 so that the cost-of-living increase would match the rate of Social Security benefits.

{mosads}The Senate passed the measure last week by unanimous consent, and it now heads to President Obama for his signature.

Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.) argued the annual increase was necessary to support veterans.

“Many of those who sacrificed so much in recent and past conflicts are in continued and increased need,” Lamborn said.

Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-Ariz.) said that the 4.5 million veterans and survivors who rely on the benefits would see an eventual cut in benefit payments if Congress doesn’t act.

“For some, it is their only source of income. Without this annual COLA increase, veterans, their families and survivors would see the value of their hard-earned benefits slowly erode,” Kirkpatrick said.