PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 233.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jul 7, 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Compensation and Pensions Title II: Memorial Affairs Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment and Benefit Programs Improvement Act of 1997 - Title I: Compensation and Pensions - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase, effective December 1, 1997, the rates of and limitations on veterans' disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents of certain disabled veterans, the clothing allowance for certain service- disabled veterans, dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC), and supplemental DIC for children. Increases each such rate by the same percentage as the increase in benefit amounts under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act. Authorizes the Secretary to adjust administratively the rates of disability compensation payable to persons who are not in receipt of compensation for service-connected disability or death. Requires: (1) Federal Register publication of such rates; and (2) the rounding-down of such rate increases to the next lower whole dollar. Extends permanently: (1) the authority of the Secretary to utilize information from the Secretaries of Health and Human Services or the Treasury for veterans' income verification purposes; and (2) a provision limiting the monthly pension payable to a veteran having neither spouse nor child who is covered by a Medicaid plan for services furnished by a nursing facility. States that a veteran's disability or death shall not be considered to have resulted from service-connected injury or disease when the injury or disease is attributable in whole or part to the use of tobacco products during military service. Authorizes the Under Secretary for Benefits to reimburse the Veterans Health Administration for costs associated with the conduct of medical examinations requested in connection with claims for veterans' benefits. Title II: Memorial Affairs - Limits to the costs of required improvements and necessary equipment the amount of grants authorized to be made by the Secretary to assist States in establishing, expanding, or improving veterans' cemeteries. Removes a requirement that funds authorized for such grants be expended within two years of such authorization.
People & committees
Sen. Specter, Arlen [R-PA] · R–PA
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 233.
Committee on Veterans Affairs. Reported to Senate by Senator Specter with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 105-120.
Committee on Veterans Affairs. Reported to Senate by Senator Specter with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 105-120.
Committee on Veterans Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Committee on Veterans Affairs. Hearings held.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans Affairs.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S6910-6912)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.
Analyze S.987 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine S.987 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
Examine S.987 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
Examine S.987 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.