H.R. 491 Introduced Government Operations and Politics

Equal COLA Act

To amend title 5, United States Code, to achieve parity between the cost-of-living adjustment with respect to an annuity under the Federal Employees Retirement System and an annuity under the Civil Service Retirement System, and for other purposes.

  1. Introduced
  2. Committee
  3. Passed House
  4. Passed Senate
  5. To President
  6. Became law
Sponsor Rep. Connolly, Gerald E. [D-VA-11] Introduced January 16, 2025 Cosponsors 90 (87 D, 3 R) Latest action September 16, 2025

Summary

Equal COLA Act
This bill applies a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for annuities paid under the Federal Employees Retirement System that is equal to the increase in inflation, regardless of the amount of the increase.
Specifically, for any year in which the Consumer Price Index (CPI) has increased over the previous year, the COLA amount shall be increased by the change in the CPI from the previous year. 
Current law applies an adjustment equal to the change in CPI only if the change is 2% or less. If the change is between 2% and 3%, the adjustment is limited to 2%. If the change is more than 3%, the adjustment is limited to 1% less than the change.

Summary by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Congress.gov

Actions

  1. Sep 16, 2025 ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Mr. Walkinshaw asked unanimous consent that he may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 491, a bill originally introduced by Representative Connolly, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.
  2. Jan 16, 2025 Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
  3. Jan 16, 2025 Introduced in House

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