Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 1997

Summary

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Compensation and Pensions Title II: Memorial Affairs Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment and Benefit Programs Improvement Act of 1997 - Title I: Compensation and Pensions - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase, effective December 1, 1997, the rates of and limitations on veterans' disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents of certain disabled veterans, the clothing allowance for certain service- disabled veterans, dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC), and supplemental DIC for children. Increases each such rate by the same percentage as the increase in benefit amounts under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act. Authorizes the Secretary to adjust administratively the rates of disability compensation payable to persons who are not in receipt of compensation for service-connected disability or death. Requires: (1) Federal Register publication of such rates; and (2) the rounding-down of such rate increases to the next lower whole dollar. Extends permanently: (1) the authority of the Secretary to utilize information from the Secretaries of Health and Human Services or the Treasury for veterans' income verification purposes; and (2) a provision limiting the monthly pension payable to a veteran having neither spouse nor child who is covered by a Medicaid plan for services furnished by a nursing facility. States that a veteran's disability or death shall not be considered to have resulted from service-connected injury or disease when the injury or disease is attributable in whole or part to the use of tobacco products during military service. Authorizes the Under Secretary for Benefits to reimburse the Veterans Health Administration for costs associated with the conduct of medical examinations requested in connection with claims for veterans' benefits. Title II: Memorial Affairs - Limits to the costs of required improvements and necessary equipment the amount of grants authorized to be made by the Secretary to assist States in establishing, expanding, or improving veterans' cemeteries. Removes a requirement that funds authorized for such grants be expended within two years of such authorization.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

1. 7 July 1997

   Introduced

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans Affairs.

   Source: IntroReferral

2. 7 July 1997

   Introduced

   Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S6910-6912)

   Source: IntroReferral

3. 7 July 1997

   Introduced

   Introduced in Senate

   Source: IntroReferral

4. 25 July 1997

   Committee

   Committee on Veterans Affairs. Hearings held.

   Source: Committee

5. 7 October 1997

   Reported

   Committee on Veterans Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

   Source: Committee

6. 29 October 1997

   Calendars

   Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 233.

   Source: Calendars

7. 29 October 1997

   Reported

   Committee on Veterans Affairs. Reported to Senate by Senator Specter with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 105-120.

   Source: Committee

8. 29 October 1997

   Reported

   Committee on Veterans Affairs. Reported to Senate by Senator Specter with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 105-120.

   Source: Committee

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

• Reported to Senate · 29 October 1997 · Official file
• Introduced in Senate · 7 July 1997 · Official file

Documents

6 official files

• Reported to Senate (text)

  Reported to Senate · EN · 29 October 1997

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Reported to Senate (PDF)

  Reported to Senate · EN · 29 October 1997

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Reported to Senate with amendment(s)

  summary · EN · 29 October 1997

  Open at official source

• Introduced in Senate (text)

  Introduced in Senate · EN · 7 July 1997

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in Senate (PDF)

  Introduced in Senate · EN · 7 July 1997

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 7 July 1997

  Open at official source

Sponsors

• Sen. Specter, Arlen [R-PA] · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Johnson, Tim [D-SD-At Large] · D · Cosponsor
• · ssva00 · Standing

Related records

• related to → Veterans' Compensation Rate Amendments of 1997