H.R.2138 - Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.2138, the Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2025, aims to increase the rates of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and for the survivors of certain disabled veterans. The bill proposes that these increases will be effective as of December 1, 2025. The adjustment will be determined by the same percentage as the increase in Social Security benefits, ensuring veterans' compensation keeps pace with the cost of living.
Expected Effects
If enacted, this bill will result in higher compensation payments for eligible veterans and their survivors. The specific increase will depend on the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) determined for Social Security benefits. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs will be required to publish the adjusted rates in the Federal Register.
Potential Benefits
- Increased financial support for veterans with service-connected disabilities.
- Enhanced financial security for the survivors of disabled veterans.
- Automatic adjustments tied to Social Security COLA, ensuring benefits keep pace with inflation.
- Administrative efficiency by aligning veterans' compensation adjustments with existing Social Security processes.
- Public transparency through the publication of adjusted rates in the Federal Register.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- The increase is dependent on the Social Security COLA, which may not fully reflect the specific cost-of-living increases faced by veterans.
- The bill does not address potential delays or complexities in the implementation of the adjusted rates.
- There is no guarantee that future COLAs will be sufficient to maintain the purchasing power of veterans' benefits.
- The bill may place additional strain on the budget of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
- The bill does not address other potential needs of veterans beyond compensation, such as healthcare or housing.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Constitution's general welfare clause, as it aims to provide for veterans who have served the nation. Congress has the power to legislate for the common defense and to provide for those who have served in the military. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).