Summary
A bipartisan bill called the Major Richard Star Act is being pushed in Congress to help thousands of veterans with combat-related injuries. The bill would allow these veterans to receive both their full military retirement pay and their VA disability compensation without having to give one up for the other.
Key Facts
- The Major Richard Star Act was reintroduced by Senator Richard Blumenthal (Democrat) and Representative Gus Bilirakis (Republican).
- It targets veterans who were medically retired early due to combat injuries and could not reach the usual service requirement for full retirement pay.
- Currently, many disabled veterans must reduce their military retirement pay to receive VA disability benefits.
- About 54,000 wounded veterans nationwide could receive higher monthly payments if the bill passes.
- The bill has bipartisan support but has faced delays because of its estimated $9.75 billion cost over 10 years.
- Supporters want to add the bill to larger, must-pass government spending bills to increase chances of approval.
- President Donald Trump’s proposed defense budget for 2027 is $1.5 trillion, which supporters say makes the cost of this bill manageable.
- Congress still needs to find funding solutions before the bill can become law.
