Senate unanimously passes Tester’s ‘cost of living’ increase for veterans

(U.S. SENATE) – Senator Jon Tester tonight released the following statement after the U.S. Senate unanimously passed his legislation to provide a 3.6 percent “cost of living” increase for veterans’ benefits in 2012:

“This is another victory in the fight to make sure this nation's veterans receive the benefits they earned, and to make sure those benefits keep pace with our economic realities.  Veterans who gave part of themselves in service to our country deserve benefits that match the cost of living, and I'm pleased the Senate found common ground and passed this bill.”

Tester is a sponsor of the Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act.

Tester called on the Senate to pass the bill after earlier word that Social Security recipients will receive a 3.6 percent cost of living increase in 2012.

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