Media contact: Jeff Schrade (202)224-9093

(Washington, DC) U.S. Senator Richard Burr, the top Republican on the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, today thanked his colleagues for approving a cost-of-living increase for disabled veterans. The measure was approved in the Senate by unanimous consent Thursday night.

"Our country owes a great debt to those Americans who have sacrificed so much for this country. We made a promise to those who serve and this increase demonstrates our nation's commitment to the lives of our veterans," Burr said.

The increase for 2008 will be 2.3 percent and will apply to veterans receiving disability compensation as well as surviving spouses receiving compensation for the loss of a loved one due to military service.

Earlier this year the Congressional Budget Office estimated that the increase would only be 1.5 percent. The rate of increase is based on the Consumer Price Index compiled by the federal government and matches that of the Social Security Administration.

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