93D CONGRESS 1ST SESSION S. 1001 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES FEBRUARY 26, 1973 Mr. INOUYE introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to increase the statutory rates for anatomical loss or loss of use. 1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 3 That subsection (k) of section 314 of title 38, United States 4 Code, is amended by striking "$47" wherever it appears in 5 such subsection and inserting in lieu thereof "$80". II [No. 93] COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS, U.S. SENATE VETERANS' ADMINISTRATION, OFFICE OF THE ADMINISTRATOR OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS, Hon. VANCE HARTKE, Chairman, Committee on Veterans' Affairs, U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C. DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: We are pleased to respond to your request for a report on S. 1001, 93d Congress. It is identical with S. 1564, 92d Congress, which was pending before your committee at the close of that Congress. The bill proposes to increase to $80 the existing $47 monthly rate of disability compensation provided in 38 U.S.C. 314(k) for certain anatomical and other losses or losses of use. This rate is payable in addition to the basic percentage and higher statutory rates of disability compensation. The $47 rate provided by section 314(k) was last increased by Public Law 427, 82d Congress, August 1, 1952. Since then, the rates of disability compensation have been generally increased on seven occasions (Public Law 695, 83d Cong., Aug. 28, 1954; Public Law 85–168, Aug. 27, 1957; Public Law 87-645, Sept. 7, 1962; Public Law 89-311, Oct. 31, 1965; Public Law 90-493, Aug. 19, 1968; Public Law 91-376, Aug. 12, 1970; and Public Law 92-328, June 30, 1972) but the $47 rate has been maintained without change. In reporting the rate increase bill which was ultimately enacted as Public Law 87-645 (S. Rept. No. 1806, 87th Cong.), the Senate Committee on Finance explained the absence of an increase of this rate as follows: * * * Inasmuch as all veterans who are entitled to receive the $47 statutory rate will be benefited by the bill by an increase in the basic rate, the committee felt fully justified in taking the action indicated." In reporting on the measures which became the above-mentioned Public Laws 90-493 and 91-376, the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs also pointed out that the $47 rate, not increased, is paid in addition to basic rates of compensation, which were increased. The Senate Committee on Finance did not propose an increase in the $47 rate in connection with Public Laws 90-493 and 91-376. Additionally, your committee did not recommend such an increase at the time of consideration of the proposal which became Public Law 92-328; and no recommendation for an increase in the particular rate was made by the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Each committee report relating to the last compensation measure contained a chart reflecting that the $47 rate has not been increased since 1952, notwithstanding intervening general increases in basic disability compensation rates. We believe that the foregoing history indicates a continued congressional feeling that the rates being paid veterans within the purview of S. 1001 are adequate. It is estimated that the first-year cost of S. 1001, 93d Congress, if enacted, would be approximately $33.9 million, benefiting about 85,600 veterans. Also, that its effect would remain about the same during the ensuing 4 years. We fully concur with the conclusion indicated by the Congress that the rates being paid veterans within the purview of S. 1001 are adequate. Accordingly, the Veterans' Administration opposes enactment of the bill. Advice has been received from the Office of Management and Budget that there is no objection to the presentation of this report from the standpoint of the administration's program. Sincerely, DONALD E. JOHNSON, Administrator. [No. 125] COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS, U.S. SENATE EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT, Hon. VANCE HARTKE, OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, Chairman, Committee on Veterans' Affairs, DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: This is in response to your request of March 1, 1973 for the views of this Office on S. 1001, a bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to increase the statutory rates for anatomical loss or loss of use. In its report to your committee on S. 1001 the Veterans' Administration explains its reasons for recommending against favorable action on the bill. We concur in the views expressed in the report of the Veterans' Administration and, accordingly, recommend against enactment of S. 1001. Sincerely, WILFRED H. ROMMEL, Assistant Director for Legislative Reference. 93D CONGRESS 1ST SESSION S. 799 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES FEBRUARY 7, 1973 Mr. MCGOVERN introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services APRIL 12, 1973 The Committee on Armed Services discharged, and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To provide adjustment assistance to Vietnam era prisoners of war. 1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 3 That section 314 of title 38, United States Code, is amended 4 by adding at the end thereof the following new subsection: 5 "(t) Any person who was detained as a prisoner of war 6 during the Vietnam era by the government of North Viet7 nam or any other hostile government or group in Indochina 8 shall be deemed to be disabled within the meaning of section 9 310 of this Act. The rate of compensation therefor shall be 10 $40 per month for each year or portion thereof that such 11 person was detained as a prisoner of war, not to exceed $200 |