Total Score: 640/2,100 points (30.5% of maximum possible score)
The Veterans’ COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) Act of 2023 primarily aims to adjust the benefits for veterans to keep up with inflation. While it supports veterans by increasing their benefits, it also involves increased government spending and regulatory adjustments, which moderately expands government power.
| Criteria | Score (out of 100) | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Regulatory Language and New Powers | 50 | Adjusts regulatory measures to increase veterans’ benefits. |
| 2. Mandates on Individuals or Businesses | 20 | Minimal mandates on businesses or individuals. |
| 3. Repeal or Modification of Existing Laws | 30 | Modifies existing laws to facilitate benefit adjustments. |
| 4. Funding Provisions and Government Control | 70 | Allocates additional funding to support the increased benefits. |
| 5. Powers Granted to Government Agencies | 50 | Grants discretionary powers to relevant agencies for benefit adjustments. |
| 6. Penalties and Compliance Mechanisms | 20 | Specifies minimal penalties for non-compliance. |
| 7. Reporting Requirements | 40 | Introduces some new reporting requirements for benefit adjustments. |
| 8. Sunset Clauses | 20 | Includes sunset clauses for periodic review of the adjustments. |
| 9. Authority and Oversight | 50 | Delegates authority to federal agencies for oversight of benefit adjustments. |
| 10. Judicial Review | 30 | Provides limited provisions for judicial review. |
| 11. Emergency Powers | 20 | Grants some emergency powers for rapid adjustments. |
| 12. Exemptions and Waivers | 30 | Offers limited exemptions from existing regulations. |
| 13. Impact Assessments | 40 | Includes assessments of the expected effects on government control and cost. |
| 14. Spending and Taxes | 70 | Increases government spending to fund the benefit adjustments. |
| 15. Market Manipulation | 20 | Minimal impact on market manipulation. |
| 16. Tax Code and Reporting | 25 | Minimal impact on the tax code. |
| 17. Areas Outside Original Purpose | 20 | Stays within the original purpose of adjusting veterans’ benefits. |
| 18. Reducing Government Power | 30 | Moderately increases government power through oversight and adjustments. |
| 19. Impact on Free Markets | 30 | Some impact on free markets through increased government spending. |
| 20. Personal Freedom | 40 | Minor impact on personal freedoms related to benefit adjustments. |
| 21. Reducing Spending and Debt | 30 | Increases spending without addressing the national debt. |