Combat-injured veterans shouldn’t lose earned retirement pay because of their wounds.

Servicemembers shouldn’t have to wonder whether a government shutdown will interrupt their paycheck.

Veterans shouldn’t pay thousands of dollars to an unaccredited consultant for “help” accessing their earned disability compensation.

And no military family should struggle to access services at their military hospital or clinic without a clear path to care.

On April 15, leaders from among MOAA’s 350,000 members – representing a community of more than 22 million current, former, and retired uniformed services personnel – will bring these important issues to Capitol Hill as a part of MOAA’s signature annual advocacy campaign, Advocacy in Action. This year, our efforts will center on four initiatives designed to uphold our nation’s commitments to our servicemembers, veterans, their families, and survivors – and we need your support.

[LEARN MORE: Advocacy in Action 2026]

Major Richard Star Act

Combat-injured servicemembers who are medically retired before reaching 20 years of service lose some or all of their earned retirement pay because it is offset by VA disability compensation. The Major Richard Star Act (H.R. 2101 | S. 1032) would correct this long-standing injustice for these wounded warriors.

Nearly 54,000 combat-injured veterans are affected by this policy. The legislation has broad bipartisan support in both chambers, but passage has been blocked by procedural issues in recent years. Correcting this injustice reinforces a simple principle: Retirement earned through service and compensation earned through sacrifice are not the same, and both should be honored.

[TAKE ACTION: Ask Your Lawmakers to Support Combat-Injured Veterans]

Shutdown Fairness Act

Recent funding lapses have left approximately 41,000 Coast Guard servicemembers performing their duties without certainty of timely pay. This is the third shutdown within the last year, and during these funding gaps, active duty servicemembers, retirees, and their families are forced to grapple with the stress and hardships of missed paychecks.

The Shutdown Fairness Act (S. 3168) would provide a permanent fix, ensuring members of the armed forces continue to receive pay and benefits during funding lapses while Congress resolves broader appropriations matters. Those who serve should not be asked to operate under the threat of financial uncertainty, especially when readiness and retention are already under pressure. This act will also enable reservists to continue performing drill functions, maintaining readiness, during future government shutdowns.

[TAKE ACTION: Ask Your Lawmakers to Protect Servicemember Pay During Any Future Shutdown]

GUARD VA Benefits Act

Unaccredited companies are charging veterans thousands of dollars to assist with VA disability claims, a service which is legally available for free through accredited representatives. Weak enforcement mechanisms have allowed bad actors to exploit veterans navigating the VA claims process.

The GUARD VA Benefits Act (H.R. 1732) would restore penalties for unauthorized fees and strengthen oversight. Veterans should never have to surrender a portion of their earned benefits to unregulated, for-profit intermediaries.

[TAKE ACTION: Ask Your Lawmakers to Stop Predatory Claims Agents]

Military CARE Act

Military families frequently encounter appointment shortages, referral delays, and other barriers to access at military treatment facilities (MTFs) – often with no clear, standardized way to elevate or track access-to-care concerns.

The Military CARE Act (H.R. 6796) would establish a centralized digital platform allowing TRICARE beneficiaries to report access-to-care problems, route concerns to the appropriate patient advocate, and provide the Defense Health Agency and Congress with aggregated data to address widespread challenges.

[TAKE ACTION: Ask Your Lawmakers to Help Fight MTF Access Problems]

We Need Your Support

As MOAA advocates prepare to bring these priorities to Capitol Hill in April, lawmakers are listening closely to the voices they hear back home. They want to know these issues don’t just matter in Washington – they matter in their districts and states, to the constituents they represent.

That’s why this year’s Advocacy in Action effort includes a focused digital campaign designed to generate a strong, coordinated wave of messages in the coming weeks. When our in-person advocates walk into congressional offices, they should be reinforcing what lawmakers have already heard from you, their constituents. Your support can make the difference between a bill gaining traction or being lost among competing congressional priorities.

You can help today by:

• Signing up for MOAA’s Legislative Action Center to send prepared messages to your elected officials and receive priority alerts when it is time to act.
  
  
• Calling your lawmakers directly via MOAA’s Capitol Hotline at (866) 272-MOAA (6622) to express your support for MOAA’s legislative priorities.
  
  
• Engaging with your local MOAA chapter to strengthen grassroots efforts and coordinate legislative outreach within your district.

When our members walk into congressional offices, they carry the collective voice of our nationwide community. Your work will help ensure Congress keeps faith with those who serve to protect our nation.