Increasing Benefits for Disabled Vets and Their Families (S. 2258)
Do you support or oppose this bill?
What is S. 2258?
(Updated November 13, 2014)
This bill was enacted on September 26, 2014
S. 2258 — known as the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2014 — authorizes a cost of living increase for disabled veterans and their families. The legislation would increase benefits for disabled veterans and add compensation for their dependents. Benefits would include a clothing allowance for certain vets, and compensation for their surviving families. and their survivors.
Argument in favor
Disabled veterans and their survivors should not have to worry about being able to pay for basic living expenses. Increased benefits will honor the sacrifice these veterans have made for the U.S.
Argument opposed
This bill is a political ploy in an election year — a bill that may never become law and whose only immediate beneficiaries are politicians.
Impact
The VA has projected that more than 4.5 million veterans and survivors would receive these benefits if S. 2258 is passed.
Cost of S. 2258
A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.
Additional Info
In Depth:
Sponsoring Rep. Sen. Mark Begich (D-AK) noted of S.2258:
"I sponsored this bipartisan legislation because so many disabled veterans and families of deceased veterans depend on these payments to get by. The payments help them with the essentials like feeding their families, heating their homes, and paying for prescription drugs ... I expect the House to pass this quickly so the President and can sign it into law. It's not every day we agree on bills, but veterans issue are everyone’s issues and this isn't the time to play partisan politics."
In contrast to Begich's comment about partisan politics, critics see the bill as a cynical attempt to give Begich — a first-term senator in a tight race for re-election — a political win. His race could be pivotal in determining which party controls the Senate after the November election. Given that, it is unlikely the Republican-controlled House will take up the measure before the election.In all likelihood, a version of this bill will pass before the end of the year. Whether it is this version will depend on the election.
Media:
Sponsoring Senator Mark Begich (D-AK) Press Release
(Photo Credit: Karen Zacharias)
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