Sullivan Fights for Increased Benefits for Alaska's Veterans

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK), a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, released the following statement after signing on as an original cosponsor to S. 1493, the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2015. The legislation allows for an increase in rates for VA disability compensation, dependency and indemnity compensation, and clothing allowance by the same amount as the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) provided to Social Security recipients.

"As an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and a strong supporter of our nation's Armed Forces, I know how important it is to ensure our veterans get the resources and care they have earned serving our nation," said Senator Sullivan. "Just as Social Security recipients receive a yearly COLA, so too should our veterans. It is just commonsense. Alaska, which proudly boasts the highest number of veterans per capita in the United States, will benefit from this COLA. I hope this bipartisan legislation moves quickly so we can get it on the President's desk for his signature as soon as possible. It's the least we can do for our veterans. They deserve it."

S. 1493 is sponsored by Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and ranking member Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and co-sponsored by Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS), John Boozman (R-AR), Dean Heller (R-NV), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Patty Murray (D-WA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Jon Tester (D-MT), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and Joe Manchin (D-WV)

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