Will we see any results on the American Heroes COLA Act?

LCpl Timothy McCain — Sun, 12 Jun 2016 03:53:35 -0400

I can report that on June 8, 2016 the Senate veterans committee introduced thetheir version of the American Heroes COLA Act. The Senate bill is called Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2016 (S.3032). This is important because nearly everyone of the Senators on committee signed on to support the bill. And a previous bill passed the Senate unanimously last year. So what does this mean for the things we need to get done concerning pay? It makes it easier for the Senate to incorporate the things we want into the bill while the bill is still in committee. Is the bill ready for you to read? No. The bill hasn't been finalized. What can't you do to get a favorable result? Write your Senators and congressmen to request that these three things: 1. Give service connected disabled veterans a 25% disability pay increase not related to COLA. 2. Make Quality Of Life payments to veterans who have a service connected disability rating of 60% more. Using the disability scale making payments proportional to the veteran's disability rating and allow for back pay three e years for 100% or less and five years for permanent and total disability. Award veterans who have a service connected disability rating of 100% or permanent and total disability who are not receiving any military retirement pay the maximum amount of VA pension. Allowing for back pay three years for 100% disability and five years for permanent and total disability.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2016 4:45 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Jun 2016 04:45:38 -0400

I find it hard that the Senate will go forward, or that POTUS would sign anything to help veterans.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2016 4:47 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Jun 2016 04:47:28 -0400

Pretty sure this is a duplicate. :-)

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2016 5:21 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Jun 2016 05:21:27 -0400

Double taps on news is allowed. Osama Bin Laden was "doubletapped" by our heroic Special Operators and America was cheering them for it LOL

Response by MGySgt James Forward made Jun 12 at 2016 7:10 AM

MGySgt James Forward — Sun, 12 Jun 2016 07:10:59 -0400

i don't believe that a snowball's chance of getting passed. Not in the current political climate, and with cutbacks on other areas of financing. It's a feel good bill but support will be lacking to get this even on the floor. Semper fi.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2016 7:34 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Jun 2016 07:34:37 -0400

If Senate can't add any PORK BELLY to the bill for themselves, we won't see anything but a dead bill S. 3032.

Response by Col Val Finnell, MD, MPH made Jun 12 at 2016 8:00 AM

Col Val Finnell, MD, MPH — Sun, 12 Jun 2016 08:00:00 -0400

MOAA has not sent any alerts on this yet. Hopefully, they will soon.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jun 12 at 2016 8:58 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Sun, 12 Jun 2016 08:58:26 -0400

I like how this reads and we will see. My only issue is doing less for a vet just because they also have a pension. This is tantamount to unfair practice. If a Vet gets a medical or regular retirement they should not receive less than a vet who did not retire in one way or another.

Just my opinion. The scale should be proportional to the level of disability.

Response by PO3 Sandra Gomke made Jun 12 at 2016 9:55 AM

PO3 Sandra Gomke — Sun, 12 Jun 2016 09:55:35 -0400

Thanks for the info!! Time to write!!

Response by SFC William Farrell made Jun 12 at 2016 10:32 AM

SFC William Farrell — Sun, 12 Jun 2016 10:32:27 -0400

Lets hope it goes somewhere LCpl Timothy McCain. By the way, are you related to John? :-)

Response by SFC Jon Vandeyacht made Jun 12 at 2016 2:18 PM

SFC Jon Vandeyacht — Sun, 12 Jun 2016 14:18:48 -0400

Im a 100%er. Though not great..i get enough with the 100% and 60%crsc. Im also accused of being a leach by even some of our veteran peers because of it..i
also work too. I sit on my ass behind a computer a few hours a day as i will get fat and die a quick death if i didnt. Though with as fast as i am falling apart, i wont be able to work for much longer as my back is shot and im losing the use of my right arm...very quickly.
Though i would gladly accept this type of bill, this would give me nearly 74K per year untaxed if it was to happen. I think this would end up creating a media nightmare for us if it did happen. I would rather they used the money and fixed tricare. That is one of the things killing us and poised to be my biggest expense very soon, besides the house which is old and requiring tons of repairs.
My personal belief is we need to fix a few other things before asking for more cash....just my 2c

Response by MGySgt James Forward made Jun 12 at 2016 8:37 PM

MGySgt James Forward — Sun, 12 Jun 2016 20:37:25 -0400

Just read the proposed bill and it does not address any of stated purposes other than granting an automatic COLA increase every year in line with SS increase. Please post a link to the bill if I am in error. Semper Fi.

Response by SGT Paul Mackay made Jun 13 at 2016 4:17 PM

SGT Paul Mackay — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 16:17:57 -0400

it'll get vetoed