Senator Murray Co-Sponsors Bill to Provide Disabled Veterans with Cost-of-Living Increase During Trying Economic Times

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, introduced legislation that will increase the cost of living adjustment for disability compensation and other benefits to our nation’s veterans. The increase would mean higher disability compensation payments to veterans who suffer from service-connected disabilities as well as higher dependency and indemnity compensation for the surviving spouses and children of service members and veterans whose deaths were service-connected. The total cost of living increase is based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics’s  Consumer Price Index (CPI). 

“Especially right now, our disabled veterans need a boost,” said Senator Murray. “Disability checks are many veterans’ lifeline.  And at a time when employment is scarce and our economic future is uncertain, we need to be sure that lifeline stretches.  Our disabled veterans and their families have earned this increase. It’s time for Congress to deliver.”

Under the bill Senator Murray co-sponsored millions of veterans and eligible family members will see their disability compensation, pension, and survivors’ benefits increased. The bill was introduced by Senate Veterans Affairs’ Committee Chairman, Senator Daniel Akaka (D-HI).