A bill that would address a number of issues considered contentious by service members, retirees and veterans is pending before the Senate. The measure, S. 1950, particularly would repeal the existing law that imposes a one percentage point cut in cost of living adjustments (COLAs) for retirees until they reach age 62. Other provisions would:
* Provide more funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs:
* Expand surviving spouses’ benefits and care for victims of sexual trauma;
* Require VA to report to Congress quarterly with progress regarding the elimination of the claims backlog;
* Expand education benefits for veterans and survivors, and;
* Assist veterans who are having reproductive issues related to injuries they received from improvised explosive devices in Iraq and Afghanistan.
