CW4 Jack Du Teil, USA (Ret), president of The Military Coalition and a Life member of MOAA, calls for swift passage of the Major Richard Star Act during a Feb. 28 press conference in Washington, D.C. He is flanked by supporters of the bill, Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.), left, and Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.). (Photos by Sean Shanahan/for MOAA)
The U.S. Senate this week began considering the Major Richard Star Act, aimed at supporting disabled veteran military retirees. The bill, Amendment #142 to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), is backed by The American Legion. The NDAA, comprising of a package of 52 diverse amendments, is expected to conclude next week, although issues like Senator Roger Marshall’s (R-KS) credit card transaction legislation and Senator Tommy Tuberville’s (R-AL) hold on military promotion votes could pose complications.
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden nominated Navy Adm. Lisa M. Franchetti as the first female leader of a military service and member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, but her confirmation might be delayed due to Sen. Tuberville’s hold. The Senate Appropriations Committee also voted out three more spending bills, although the House is facing challenges with its appropriations process due to controversial provisions added by Republicans. Grassroots activist Christopher Holt from Texas was acknowledged as “Legionnaire of the Week” for his veteran advocacy efforts.
Read more in the National Legislative Division Weekly (PDF).
Author: Jared Morgan
Jared is the senior editor and web team lead for the Department of California and chair of its Media & Communications Commission. He became a member of the American Legion in 2014 when he joined Palisades Post 283 to find stories about veterans issues for a local newspaper while working as its news editor. He was soon brought in as 283's assistant adjutant and historian to help produce the post's award-winning community newspaper. Since then, Jared has used his media skills to help further the efforts of The American Legion in its advocacy of veterans and their families. Jared has also worked for several years to help revitalize the 100-year-old Santa Monica Post 123, formerly as its adjutant and as a member of its executive board, before transferring back to Post 283.