01.22.14

Hoeven Briefs Air Force Sec. James on His Legislation to Fix Military Pension COLA Reductions

Senator's Measure Fully Pays for Fix to Military Retiree Cuts

MINOT, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today briefed newly confirmed Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James about legislation he and colleagues have introduced to fix the reduction in the military retiree cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) that was included in the recent budget agreement.

Hoeven and Republican colleagues last week introduced the Responsible Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2014, legislation that will repeal the unfair Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) reduction and extend Emergency Unemployment Insurance benefits for three months, fully paying for both so that they don’t add to the country’s deficit and debt.

“Our bill is a sensible measure that not only fixes the COLA reduction for military retirees that was in the budget, but also fully pays for it,” Senator Hoeven said. “In addition, it also pays for the extension in Unemployment Insurance benefits to ensure that we don't increase the nation’s deficit or debt.”

Along with Hoeven, the bill is sponsored by Senators Dean Heller (R-NV), Susan Collins (R-ME), Rob Portman (R-OH), Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Dan Coats (R-IN), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Johnny Isakson (R-GA).