ica, Inc., the Military Widows, and the Noncommissioned Officers Association of the United States. Mr. President, there can be no disagreement with the necessity of these costof-living increases for our disabled veterans and their survivors. As my colleagues are aware the spiraling cost of living affects those on fixed incomes with much greater severity than the rest of the population. We must assure ourselves and the Nation that these veterans who were injured in the service of their country and the survivors of those who gave their lives are protected and supported in this time of economic upheaval. Mr. President, I urge my colleagues to support S. 3072, the Veterans Disability Compensation and Survivor Benefits Act of 1974. Mr. ROBERT C. BYRD. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The second assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll. Mr. HARTKE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Mr. HARTKE. Mr. President, I yield to the Senator from Alabama for the purpose of Mr. MANSFIELD. Mr. President, will the Senator yield? Mr. HARTKE. I yield. Mr. MANSFIELD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the vote on the Peace Corps bill begin at the hour of 1:35 p.m., rather than 1:30, to allow some Senators to get to the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Mr. ALLEN. Mr. President, I offer an amendment and ask that it be stated. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will state the amendment. The legislative clerk read the amendment, as follows: Amend S. 3072 by adding the following on page 13 between lines 7 and 8: Title III-That the date for the national celebration of Veterans Day if changed from the 4th Monday in October to November 11 which rather date henceforth should be known as Veterans Day. Renumber titles. Mr. ALLEN. Mr. President, I had a bill which accomplishes this very same purpose, but it has not moved very far or very fast. This amendment would change Veterans Day from the fourth Monday in October to November 11. Since this is a veterans' bill, I would like to offer this amendment, if I may do so. Mr. HARTKE. Mr. President, I am in sympathy with the purpose of the amendment of the Senator from Alabama, and have told him so. The jurisdiction for setting of holidays is in the Judiciary Committee. Most of the members of the Veterans Committee are in support of moving Veterans Day back to November 11 and have joined in cosponsoring S. 3079 introduced by Senator Thurmond which is currently pending in the Judiciary Committee. I would respectfully request the Senator from Alabama to withhold his amendment, with the hope that the Judiciary Committee will move on it, but I have assured him that, in the event it does not act on it at all that I would be willing to accept it as an amendment to another veterans bill. However, the pending bill deals with disabled veterans' compensation and surviviors' benefits, and I would not want to have the bill jeopardized simply by virtue of the fact that there would be a jurisdictional question involved with respect to the ultimate disposition of the bill. Mr. ALLEN. I thank the Senator. Do I understand the Senator to give assurances to the Senator from Alabama that he will, at a near, later date, agree to support this amendment as an amendment to another veterans bill, provided we are not able to get the Judiciary Committee to move? Mr. HARTKE. Yes. The Senator from Alabama states my position correctly, and I give him that assurance now that I would not object to an amendment if the Judiciary Committee refuses to take any action on the measure. Mr. ALLEN. I did not know that the bill was before the Judiciary Committee. I feel sure the distinguished chairman of the committee (Mr. EASTLAND) would help get the bill out. I know he would favor this proposal, also. But, on the assurance of the Senator from Indiana that he will work with the Senator from Alabama to get Veterans Day changed from the fourth Monday in October back to November 11, I will withdraw the amendment. Is that correct? Mr. HARTKE. That is correct. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The amendment is withdrawn. The question is on agreeing to the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute for the bill. The amendment was agreed to. Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I rise in support of S. 3072, the Veterans Disability Compensation and Survivors Benefits Act of 1974. The problems of our service disabled and their survivors merit our closest attention. Over 2,300,000 disabled veterans receive compensation benefits. The dependency and indemnity compensation program provides benefits for some 375,000 survivors of veterans who died of service related causes. Often, because of physical or mental disabilities, these veterans need the most assistance in keeping up with inflation. The provisions of S. 3072 will help our disabled veterans keep pace with the increasing costs of living. Mr. President, I urge my colleagues to support S. 3072. Mr. HANSEN. Mr. President, I rise in support of S. 3072, a bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to liberalize the provisions relating to payments of dependency indemnity compensation and other purposes. The compensation provision of this bill provides for a 15-percent increase in benefits to our service-connected veterans who have given so much in the defense of this Nation. This 15 percent matches the amount of the cost price index increase. This is a provision which we owe and are more than willing to grant. I am only sorry that we could not even provide greater increases to these so deserving individuals. This bill also provides for a 17-percent increase in benefits on the dependency and indemnity compensation. This is in accordance with the cost price index, since our last increase granted during the 92d Congress. We must at all times assure these individuals that the Government has not forgotten their contribution to this Nation. I want to congratulate Senator Hartke and his staff for their perseverance in proposing this bill, and presenting it to the floor for a vote. I hope that my colleagues will join me in unanimous approval. Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I am glad to see that today we are considering legislation to increase service connected disability compensation and dependency and indemnity compensation. PRESENT RATES INADEQUATE Since veterans compensation was last adjusted in 1972, the cost of living index has risen sharply. The rate of compensation established at that time has become grossly inadequate and the increases we are considering today will help this situation. The energy crisis has greatly contributed to the increased cost of living. I have talked to a large number of people in Kansas whose heating bills for propane more than doubled last winter and in some cases even tripled. And these added heating expenses occurred after all possible measures were taken to reduce heating requirements and to conserve energy. COST OF LIVING UP The soaring price of gasoline also has added more financial burdens. Our disabled veterans as a group are probably more greatly affected by this than are most people. This is because disabled veterans are more dependent upon automobile transportation. A man with an artificial leg obviously cannot walk to his grocery store or somewhere else for a necessary item as readily as other men might. A similar problem often exists for veterans with other disabilities. This bill essentially provides a cost-of-living increase. It has been needed for many months. So, on behalf of the disabled veterans, widows, and dependent children in Kansas who receive this compensation, I think it is appropriate that we are considering this bill today. IMPORTANT ISSUE I can personally speak for the importance of this issue from the volume of mail and calls I have received in my office. The Veterans' Affairs Committee is to be commended for promptly bringing this matter to the Senate for a vote and I hope it will be just as promptly approved here. Mr. President, this measure should not be controversial and I think it shoul have the support of every Member of the Senate. After all, no amount of mone can ever repay a veteran for the loss of a limb or his health or for the permanent discomfort he may have to endure. No amount of money can reimburse those who lost a husband or a father prematurely because of service-connected death or disability. This compensation is only a poor substitute for the life, career, and happiness that might have been except for the sacrifice made in the service to this Nation. Mr. President, I support this legislation and I hope my colleagues will join me. Hopefully, it will improve the compensation this country owes to those who have made sacrifices for it. Mr. MCCLURE. Mr. President, I rise in support of S. 3072, a bill to liberalize the provisions relating to payments and survivor benefits. Compensation is paid in accord with the degree of service-connected disability, as based on the average impairment of earning capacity resulting from such injury. Likewise payments are made to survivors of veterans whose deaths were due to service-connected causes. Basically, this bill will provide cost-of-living increases in the following amounts: Disability compensation for veterans rated 50 percent or under, 15 percent; disability compensation for veterans rated 60 percent or more, 18 percent; anatomical loss-"K" award-10 percent; awards for dependents of veterans rated 50 percent or more, 15 percent and survivors DIC, 27 percent. The bill also provides for the equalization of the rates of death compensation to the survivors of veterans of peacetime and wartime service, where death occurred prior to January 1, 1957. Your vote this afternoon for S. 3072 will have the appreciation by the 2,206,496 disabled veterans in America. It will also benefit more than 374,600 survivors of veterans who died of service-connected causes. S. 3072: MUCH NEEDED INCREASES IN RATES OF VETERANS DISABILITY COMPENSATION AND DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION-DIC Mr. CRANSTON. Mr. President, I am delighted that the Senate is acting so promptly today to pass legislation increasing_substantially the rates of veterans disability compensation and the rates of DIC-dependency and indemnity compensation. I especially want to congratulate the distinguished chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Senator HARTKE, for his excellent leadership and fine efforts in making timely Senate approval of this measure possible. S. 3072, as reported from committee includes the provisions of S. 3072, as introduced-Senator HARTKE's bill to increase the rates of DIC and S. 3067, as introduced-Senator TALMADGE's bill to increase the rates of disability compensation. I was privileged to join with my colleagues in the Veterans' Affairs Committee in cosponsoring both these bills. Mr. President, rapid increases in the cost of living have had a significant impact on all persons trying to live on fixed incomes, particularly-the 2,197,000 veterans receiving compensation for service-connected injuries and the 375,000 widows of veterans who died of service-connected conditions now receiving survivors benefits. The Vietnam conflict has increased compensation rolls by 371,612 Vietnam era veterans drawing compensation payments. The projected fiscal year 1975 budget at present rates is $3.18 billion for compensation payments. In order to meet inflation costs and help provide higher rates in areas now undercompensated, the committee bill provides for a 15-percent increase for veterans with disabilities rated 10 to 50 percent; and 18-percent increase for those with 60- to 100-percent disabilities and for special awards for anatomical losses except "K" rwards which are increased 10 percent. This would provide about $464.1 million in additional compensation payments in the first year alone. Mr. President, the fiscal year 1975 budget also includes $760 million for widows currently drawing dependency and indemnity compensation-DIC. Depending on the effective date of enactment of S. 3072 raises DIC rates by 17 percent. This would provide at least an additional $102.1 million in DIC benefits for the first year. Mr. President, with respect to veterans with total and permanent disability ratings of long standing-20 years or more S. 3067 as is introduced proposed establishing an automatic statutory presumption. following the veteran's death, that his widow will be entitled to DIC. It is often difficult to prove that the immediate cause of death of a totally and permanently disabled veteran was service connected, because of numerous side effects of the disabling condition. But I believe that the families of totally and permanently disabled veterans who have come to rely over an extended period of time on VA disability compensation payments should be given peace of mind in the knowledge that income in the form of DIC benefits will continue when the veteran is no longer there. In addition, Mr. President, S. 306 proposed to establish this presumption of service-connected death in the case of a veteran who was discharged or retired from active duty with a total and permanent disability rating. The reported bill, however, directs the VA to carry out a study of such a provision and to report not later than 30 days after the convening of the 94th Congress. This seemed a necessary compromise, and I hope we will have a favorable study from the VA. Finally, S. 3072, as reported, would eliminate the remaining peacetime/wartime distinction in effect for those receiving survivors benefits under the pre1956 DIC program known as death compensation. I have led the fight for the past several years to eliminate all wartime/peacetime distinctions under title 38. We have been very successful thus far in removing most of these unfair discriminations. Mr. President, I am hopeful that the House will act promptly on the Senate bill and that we can reconcile rapidly, any differences between this bill and the House committee bill now pending on the House calendar. I feel confident that the President will sign this bill although it is somewhat more generous than the proposal he made belatedly this year after submission of his fiscal year 1975 budget request and legislative program. The bill was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading, read the third time, and passed. APPENDIX C Public Law 93-295 93rd Congress, S. 3072 May 31, 1974 An Act To amend title 38, United States Code, to increase the rates of disability compensation for disabled veterans; to increase the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for their survivors; and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That this Act may be Veterans Discited as the "Veterans Disability Compensation and Survivor Benefits Act of 1974". TITLE I-VETERANS DISABILITY COMPENSATION ability Compen sation and Sur- 88 STAT. 181 SEC. 101. (a) Section 314 of title 38, United States Code, is 86 Stat. 393. amended (1) by striking out "$28" in subsection (a) and inserting in lieu thereof "$32" (2) by striking out "$51" in subsection (b) and inserting in lieu thereof "$59"; (3) by striking out "$77" in subsection (c) and inserting in lieu thereof "$89"; (4) by striking out "$106" in subsection (d) and inserting in lieu thereof "$122"; (5) by striking out "$149" in subsection (e) and inserting in lieu thereof "$171"; (6) by striking out "$179" in subsection (f) and inserting in lieu thereof "$211"; (7) by striking out "$212" in subsection (g) and inserting in lieu thereof "$250"; (8) by striking out "$245" in subsection (h) and inserting in lieu thereof "$289"; (9) by striking out "$275" in subsection (i) and inserting in lieu thereof "$325"; (10) by striking out "$495" in subsection (j) and inserting in lieu thereof "$584"; (11) by striking out "$47" and "$616" and "$862" in subsection 81 Stat. 190. (k) and inserting in lieu thereof “$52” and “$727” and “$1,017”, respectively; (12) by striking out "$616" in subsection (1) and inserting in lieu thereof "$727"; (13) by striking out "$678" in subsection (m) and inserting in lieu thereof "$800"; (14) by striking out "$770" in subsection (n) and inserting in lieu thereof "$909"; (15) by striking out "$862" in subsections (o) and (p) and inserting in lieu thereof "$1,017"; (16) by striking out "$370" in subsection (r) and inserting in lieu thereof "$437"; and (17) by striking out "$554" in subsection (s) and inserting in lieu thereof "$654". (b) The Administrator of Veterans' Affairs may adjust adminis- Rate adjustment. tratively, consistent with the increases authorized by this section, the rates of disability compensation payable to persons within the purview of section 10 of Public Law 85-857 who are not in receipt of com- 72 Stat. 1263. pensation payable pursuant to chapter 11 of title 38, United States 38 USC prec. Code. 101 note. SEC. 102. Section 315 (1) of title 38, United States Code, is 38 USC 301. amended 86 Stat. 394. |