WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

S. 2392 · 119th Congress · Public Law 119-42

Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2025

Became lawArmed Forces and National Security
IntroducedJul 23, 2025
Passed SenateNov 9, 2025
Passed HouseNov 17, 2025
To PresidentNov 25, 2025
Became lawNov 25, 2025

How this bill changes the law

Sourced

S. 2392 doesn't change any existing section of law. It created 2 new provisions of its own. Read from the bill text in its final form, as sent to the President.

New provisions of the bill's own

  • Sec. 2 Increase in rates of disability compensation and dependency and indemnity compensation
  • Sec. 3 Publication of adjusted rates
What the words changed: every change, in place (0)

Today's wording of each part of the law, with what was struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.

    From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, latest edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

    What it does

    Sourced

    Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2025

    This act requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to increase the amounts payable for wartime disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled veterans, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children. Specifically, the VA must increase the amounts by the same percentage as the cost-of-living increase in benefits for Social Security recipients that is effective on December 1, 2025. The act requires the VA to publish the amounts payable, as increased, in the Federal Register.

    The VA is authorized to make a similar adjustment to the rates of disability compensation payable to persons who have not received compensation for service-connected disability or death.

    Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Public Law, Dec 25, 2025).

    Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

    What has happened

    Sourced
    1. 2025-11-25Became Public Law No: 119-42.Library of Congress
    2. 2025-11-25Became Public Law No: 119-42.Library of Congress
    3. 2025-11-25Signed by President.Library of Congress
    4. 2025-11-25Signed by President.Library of Congress
    5. 2025-11-25Presented to President.House floor actions
    6. 2025-11-25Presented to President.Library of Congress
    7. 2025-11-17Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
    8. 2025-11-17On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4676)House floor actions
    9. 2025-11-17Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4676)Library of Congress
    10. 2025-11-17DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 2392.House floor actions
    11. 2025-11-17Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4676-4678)House floor actions
    12. 2025-11-17Mr. Bost moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. (consideration: CR H4676-4678)House floor actions
    13. 2025-11-12Held at the desk.House floor actions
    14. 2025-11-12Received in the House.House floor actions
    15. 2025-11-10Message on Senate action sent to the House.Senate
    16. 2025-11-09Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8035-8036; text: CR S8035-8036)Senate
    17. 2025-11-09Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.Library of Congress
    18. 2025-10-22Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 202.Senate
    19. 2025-10-22Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Moran without amendment. Without written report.Senate
    20. 2025-10-22Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Moran without amendment. Without written report.Library of Congress
    21. 2025-07-30Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.Senate
    22. 2025-07-23Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.Senate
    23. 2025-07-23Introduced in SenateLibrary of Congress

    Show key steps only

    After it became law

    Sourced

    Since it became law on Nov 25, 2025, the Federal Register, the government's daily record of rules and notices, has published 2 documents that name it: 2 notices. All 2 name it in the title, the summary or the legal authority.

    Named in the title, summary or legal authority

    1. NoticeFeb 17, 2026Veterans Affairs Department
      Cost of Living Adjustments for Service-Connected Benefits
      As required by the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2025, Public Law 119-42, the VA is hereby giving notice of adjustments in certain benefit rates.
      Names the law in its summary
    2. NoticeFeb 11, 2026Veterans Affairs Department
      Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA)
      As required by the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2025, VA is hereby giving notice of COLA in certain benefit rates.
      Names the law in its summary

    Found by searching the Federal Register for Public Law 119-42 and the law's names, then reading each document: every one listed contains them, and the quote is its own words. An agency can carry out a law without naming it, so this list can miss some. Checked Oct 27, 2026. Every new law's rules

    Cosponsors

    • Jim Banks R-IN
    • Michael F. Bennet D-CO
    • Richard Blumenthal D-CT
    • Lisa Blunt Rochester D-DE
    • Cory A. Booker D-NJ
    • John Boozman R-AR
    • Bill Cassidy R-LA
    • Catherine Cortez Masto D-NV
    • Kevin Cramer R-ND
    • Tammy Duckworth D-IL
    • Ruben Gallego D-AZ
    • Margaret Wood Hassan D-NH
    • Martin Heinrich D-NM
    • Mazie K. Hirono D-HI
    • Mark Kelly D-AZ
    • Angus S. King, Jr. I-ME
    • Patty Murray D-WA
    • Bernard Sanders I-VT
    • Elissa Slotkin D-MI
    • Thom Tillis R-NC
    • Tommy Tuberville R-AL
    • Raphael G. Warnock D-GA