Morgan Luttrell (R-TX)
Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2026
A Republican bill with 4 Democratic cosponsors · See all 5 cosponsors
Last activity — Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed both chambers, not yet sent to the President
Both the House and the Senate have passed it, though not necessarily the same text.
If the two chambers passed identical wording, the final copy is being prepared for the President. If they did not, one chamber must accept the other's version or the two negotiate a single one — nothing goes to the President until the text is identical.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed House voice vote
- Passed Senate voice vote
No one's position on it was recorded: the House by voice vote (members called out yes or no together), and the Senate by voice vote (members called out yes or no together).
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2026. It requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase the rates of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities. It also increases the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of certain disabled veterans. These increases are set to become effective on December 1, 2026. The percentage of the increase will match the increase in benefit amounts under title II of the Social Security Act. Finally, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs must publish these new adjusted rates in the Federal Register.
Yes· 3 of 25
- Scored +10
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?
Directly increases the amount of disability and dependency compensation for veterans and their families.
- Scored +10
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?
Directly increases cost-of-living adjustments for disability and indemnity compensation.
- Scored +8
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?
Directly increases financial compensation for those with service-connected disabilities.
The opposite· 3 of 4
- Scored -5
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill explicitly mandates an increase in payments for disability and indemnity compensation.
- Scored -2
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?
Increasing benefit payments increases government spending, which may slightly increase the national debt.
- Scored -2
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?
Increases mandatory spending without specifying a funding source.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 2(a): This provision increases the dollar amounts for veteran disability compensation and dependency and indemnity compensation starting December 1, 2026, which helps veterans and their survivors keep up with changing economic costs.
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Section 2(b)(1) and Section 2(b)(2): These provisions increase wartime disability compensation and additional compensation for dependents, providing more financial support to veterans and their families.
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Section 2(b)(3): This provision increases the clothing allowance, which provides extra financial help for veterans who need it.
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Section 2(b)(4) and Section 2(b)(5): These provisions increase dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children, offering greater financial stability to the families of certain disabled veterans.
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Section 3: This provision requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to publish the newly adjusted rates in the Federal Register, ensuring transparency and keeping the public and officials accountable for these changes.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- The provided text does not contain any specific sections or provisions that outline negative consequences, burdens, or adverse impacts for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — Directly increases the amount of disability and dependency compensation for veterans and their families. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — Directly increases financial compensation for those with service-connected disabilities. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Increased benefit payments provide significant financial relief to low-income veterans and survivors. Would retired people be better off under this? — Many retired veterans rely on these disability payments as a primary or supplemental income source. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Provides increased cost-of-living adjustments to senior disabled veterans and surviving spouses. Would men be better off under this? — Positively impacts disabled veterans, a large percentage of whom are men. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Provides an increase in income for middle-class veterans receiving disability benefits. Would women be better off under this? — Positively impacts surviving spouses and mothers of disabled veterans receiving indemnity compensation. Would children be better off under this? — Increases dependency and indemnity compensation for children of disabled veterans. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Provides increased compensation to disabled veterans in this age bracket. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — Positive impact for all veterans, including African American veterans receiving these benefits. Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — Positive impact for all veterans, including Asian American veterans receiving these benefits. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — Positive impact for all veterans, including Hispanic American veterans receiving these benefits. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Positive impact for all veterans, including Native American veterans receiving these benefits. Would white Americans be better off under this? — Positive impact for all veterans, including White American veterans receiving these benefits. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Benefits veterans and surviving children who may be young adults.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — Increases financial support for veterans with service-connected disabilities. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Increases financial assistance for vulnerable populations including disabled veterans and surviving spouses. Is this likely to reduce homelessness? — Higher monthly compensation payments can help prevent homelessness among disabled veterans. Does this make housing cost less? — Increased income for disabled veterans and survivors improves their ability to afford housing. Does this make child care cost less? — Increases compensation for children of disabled veterans, aiding in family support.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — Increased payments to veterans increase disposable income, which can stimulate consumer spending. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill explicitly mandates an increase in payments for disability and indemnity compensation. Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — Increases mandatory spending without specifying a funding source. Does this reduce what the federal government owes? — Increasing benefit payments increases government spending, which may slightly increase the national debt.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — Directly increases cost-of-living adjustments for disability and indemnity compensation. Does this reduce what is spent on the military? — Increases federal spending on veterans' benefits.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to publish adjusted rates in the Federal Register.
- Healthcare
- Does this help veterans get medical care? — Higher compensation payments provide veterans with more financial resources to afford healthcare and support services.
- Enrolled Bill
The final version, on its way to the President
What changed from Received in Senate: No change to the wording. Only the printed details that record the bill’s progress, such as the heading and dates, are different.
Arrived from the other chamber; nothing has been done to it there yet
What changed from Engrossed in House: No change to the wording. Only the printed details that record the bill’s progress, such as the heading and dates, are different.
The version one chamber actually passed
What changed from Introduced in House: No change to the wording. Only the printed details that record the bill’s progress, such as the heading and dates, are different.
- 11/11/2026
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.
- Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S5572)
- 11/10/2026
- Received in the Senate, read twice.
- 11/9/2026
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H6105-6106)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H6105-6106)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 8552.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6105-6107)
- Mr. Hamadeh (AZ) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/14/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/21/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/14/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/30/2026
- Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
- 6/25/2026
- Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 6/22/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
- 4/28/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
4 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
- 119-HR-2138: Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2025
- 119-HR-6027: To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for an annual increase in the rates of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of certain disabled veterans, and for other purposes.
- 119-S-2392: Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2025
- 119-S-4487: Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2026
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Morgan McGarveyDemocrat · Kentucky
August PflugerRepublican · Texas
Josh RileyDemocrat · New York
Eugene VindmanDemocrat · Virginia