Pappas’s Bipartisan Bill Increasing Veterans’ Benefits Signed Into Law
On Wednesday, President Joe Biden signed bipartisan legislation into law
introduced by Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) that requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide a cost-of-living adjustment to veterans with service-connected disabilities and families of fallen service members equal to Social Security increases.
Pappas is the Ranking Member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs and introduced this legislation alongside Congressman Morgan Luttrell (TX-08), Chair of Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee.
“We have a solemn obligation to ensure the needs of our veterans are met,” said Congressman Pappas. “I was honored to partner with Congressman Luttrell on this critically important bipartisan legislation to ensure veterans’ benefits keep pace with our changing economy and that our veterans with service-connected disabilities and family members of fallen service members get the care and support they have earned. I remain committed to working with my colleagues across the aisle to advance legislation that meets the needs of veterans in New Hampshire and across the country.”
The Veterans Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act (COLA) of 2023 increases the rates of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities, as well as the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of certain veterans as of December 1, 2023. The increase in VA benefits would equal the cost-of-living increase provided for certain Social Security benefits.
In May, Pappas spoke on the House floor in support of the bill ahead of its passage.
