The Major Richard Star Act—legislation designed to open full retirement pay to thousands of medically retired combat-injured Veterans—has been blocked in the U.S. Senate for the second time after the measure was prevented from advancing on March 3.
The decision frustrated Veterans advocates and renewed calls for Congress to address what many see as an unfair policy.
The latest effort to advance the bill stalled Tuesday when Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) objected to a unanimous consent request that would have allowed the Senate to vote on the legislation. Johnson said the proposal would add between $10 billion and $12 billion in defense spending over the next decade and raised concerns about the nation’s growing debt.
“This legislation has never been accepted because we simply cannot afford it,” Johnson said during remarks on the Senate floor while referencing the federal government’s nearly $39 trillion national debt and rising costs tied to Veterans benefits.
The bipartisan Major Richard Star Act would eliminate an offset that reduces military retirement pay for certain wounded Veterans. Under current law, Veterans medically retired before reaching 20 years of service must have their retirement pay reduced by the amount of disability compensation they receive from the VA.
Supporters say the policy unfairly penalizes Veterans whose injuries forced them to leave the military early.
The American Legion has repeatedly urged lawmakers to pass the legislation. During testimony before a joint hearing of the Senate and House Committees on Veterans’ Affairs earlier this month, American Legion National Commander Dan K. Wiley said ending the offset remains a priority for the organization.
The Major Richard Star Act would allow medically retired combat-injured Veterans to receive both their full military retirement pay and their VA disability compensation without the current dollar-for-dollar reduction. More than 50,000 Veterans are affected by the offset, which can reduce retirement income by thousands of dollars each year.
Wiley referenced the story of Major Richard Star, an Army Veteran who developed lung cancer linked to burn pit exposure after multiple deployments. Because Star was medically retired before reaching 20 years of service, his retirement pay was reduced by the amount of his disability compensation.
According to Wiley, the policy wrongly treats retirement pay and disability benefits as the same thing. Retirement pay is earned through years of service, while disability compensation addresses injuries sustained while serving.
“This is wrong,” Wiley told lawmakers during the hearing. “Collecting both benefits is not double-dipping. Retirement is for time served; disability compensation is for harm caused during service.”
Other Veterans Service Organizations have also spoken out following the Senate’s decision, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans.
The bill continues to have strong bipartisan backing with 77 co-sponsors in the Senate and more than 300 in the House of Representatives.
Advocates say the issue comes down to honoring the nation’s commitment to combat-injured Veterans whose military careers ended because of their service. Organizations, including The American Legion, say they will continue pushing Congress to revisit the measure.
Author: Rikki Almanza
Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted family connection to the military, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.
