Legislative Update!
The Major Richard Star Act (S.344/H.R.1282) was re-introduced in the 118th Congress on February 9, 2023. If passed, the bill would support more than 50,300 combat-injured veterans with concurrent receipt of vested retired pay and VA disability. Currently, these combat-injured (and often seriously disabled) veterans are subject to a “cost-saving” offset where their retirement pay is reduced for every dollar of VA disability received.
Retired pay is paid by DoD for completed years of service, while disability compensation is paid by VA for lifelong injury. These two benefits, established by Congress for entirely different reasons, are nonetheless currently subject to a statutory offset. Veterans injured while defending their country deserve compensation for their life-changing injuries. To subsequently reduce their earned retirement pay is effectively asking them to pay back that compensation.
S.344 is sponsored by Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) and H.R.1282 is sponsored by Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL). Both bills seem to have bipartisan support. As of 19 March, the bill has 234 cosponsors in the House, and 62 cosponsors in the Senate.
Please contact your Representatives TODAY and urge Congress to pass The Major Richard Star Act!
