October 21, 2011

The Honorable Patty Murray, Co-Chair
Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction
448 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

The Honorable Jeb Hensarling, Co-Chair
Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction
129 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Chairman Murray and Chairman Hensarling:

On behalf of the 1.2 million members of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), I am writing to urge the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction (JSC) to reject any proposals that would reduce veterans’ disability compensation, or that would prevent, reduce or delay the application of a full cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) for disability compensation beginning January 1, 2012. As you know, disabled veterans have not had a COLA increase since December 2009.

It was recently announced that there would be a 3.6 percent COLA for Social Security recipients next year, and the Senate immediately and unanimously passed legislation (S. 894) to apply this same COLA increase to veterans disability compensation payments. The Senate vote follows the unanimous House’s approval of companion legislation (H.R. 1407) earlier this year. Once the COLA legislation is sent to the President and signed into law, it will provide a much-needed increase for the 3.2 million disabled veterans who receive monthly disability compensation payments as a result of injuries or illnesses suffered in service to the nation. For many of these veterans, particularly those with severe and catastrophic disabilities, these payments may be their primary or even their only source of income.

While we recognize the difficult work facing the JSC to make reductions in federal spending, we believe it would be irresponsible to target cuts at those who have already sacrificed so much for their country. For the past two years, disabled veterans have seen no COLA increases, and for many it has become increasingly harder to make ends meet. Although the official COLA may have been zero, it is important to understand that the CPI index upon which the COLA is calculated does not take into account increases in the cost of food or gasoline. In addition, as disabled veterans grow older their needs may also increase due to declining health and increased morbidity.

On behalf of our members and all disabled veterans, we urge you to reject any proposals that would reduce disability compensation, or prevent, reduce or delay the application of a full cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) for disability compensation.

Respectfully,

DONALD L. SAMUELS
National Commander