The U.S. House unanimously passed a bill calling for an increase in benefits for veterans Tuesday.
Rep. Ralph Abraham authored the measure, which is his first to be approved by the House. He says the item will give veterans a cost-of-living increase.
"We need to give those who served greater financial stability and this is what this bill does," Abraham told KEDM.
The measure ties veterans' cost-of-living increase to the increase given to Social Security recipients. Abraham says veterans regularly come to his office sharing stories of the struggle to make ends meet. If the benefit becomes law, they will begin this December.
The bill heads to the Senate for consideration.
Earlier this week, Abraham's office announced the Alexandria airport will receive $9 million for improvements. "There will be runway extensions, some infrastructure work, and runway repairs as part of the project," said Abraham.
The improvements will help better serve troops with Fort Polk, the Joint Readiness Training Center in central Louisiana. Abraham says that units from across the country visit the site for training, and airport improvements will better facilitate travel to the area.