Senate joins House in restoring COLAs

The U.S. Senate passed a bill Wednesday by a 95-3 vote that will, if signed into law, reverse plans to cut annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) from the pensions of military retirees under the age of 62 and those currently serving.

The Senate action mirrored passage of a similar House bill Tuesday. The restoration of COLA benefits applies to current eligible military retirees and career-bound servicemembers who enlisted on or before Jan. 1, 2014. It will still leave future generations of military retirees vulnerable to reductions in their cost-of-living adjustments. The bill now travels to the White House for the expected signature of President Obama.

"I cannot say that I am completely satisfied with the decisions by both the House and Senate to maintain a cut to future retirees’ pensions," American Legion National Commander Daniel M. Dellinger said. "But we can at least breathe a sigh of relief on behalf of our current retirees and career servicemembers. The American Legion will continue to fight for a full reversal of COLA cuts for military retirees today and those yet to serve. It is the right thing to do."