The Major Richard Star Act, a bipartisan effort to fix a long-standing injustice in the military retirement and disability compensation system, has taken a significant procedural step in Congress as lawmakers look to move the issue forward before the end of the year.

The MOAA-supported bill (H.R. 2102 | S. 1032) eliminates a dollar-for-dollar offset faced by servicemembers whose combat-related injuries force them to medically retire before the 20-year mark. Ending this “wounded veteran tax” would allow eligible veterans to receive both full retirement pay and full disability compensation.

In a strategic shift to advance the legislation in this session of Congress, Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) have filed the text of the bill as an amendment to House-passed appropriations legislation (H.R. 4016).

[TAKE ACTION: Ask Your Lawmakers to Support the Star Act Amendment (Senate Amendment 4056) to H.R. 4016]

That House bill contains five of the 12 annual funding bills often viewed as must-pass legislation for federal operations, including money for:

• Defense
• Commerce, Justice and Science
• Interior
• Labor/Health and Human Services
• Transportation/Housing and Urban Development
  
  

By offering the Major Richard Star Act as an amendment to this package, sponsors hope to give members of both chambers an opportunity to vote on the issue in the context of essential federal spending legislation.

Why This Matters Now

Attaching the legislation to must-pass funding bills represents a key shift in advocacy strategy as the first session of 119th Congress winds down. Because the standalone bills have faced procedural hurdles over the past seven years, leveraging the appropriations process may provide the best remaining opportunity to secure floor consideration and a recorded vote in the coming weeks.

MOAA continues to highlight that this reform carries modest budgetary impact relative to its importance to veterans’ families and supporters, and stresses that military retirement pay and disability compensation are distinct entitlements earned through service and sacrifice.

[MOAA ISSUE PAPER: The Major Richard Star Act]

How MOAA Members Can Help

MOAA’s advocacy remains focused on passing the Major Richard Star Act. We need your help to urge members of Congress to support inclusion of the bill’s language as an amendment to the appropriations legislation, and to oppose procedural barriers that could derail progress. Grassroots engagement remains critical to maintaining momentum.

Send a message to your lawmakers today, and keep track of this and other MOAA legislative priorities at our advocacy news page.