Bipartisan Bill in Congress Aims to End Benefit Cuts for Combat-Injured Veterans
Stalled
No legislative action in over 90 days.
↔Companion bill: Rep. Bilirakis Introduces Major Richard Star Act to End Benefit Offsets for Combat-Injured VeteransThis bill eliminates the dollar-for-dollar offset that currently reduces military retirement pay for veterans who were medically retired due to combat-related disabilities with fewer than 20 years of service. Right now, these veterans lose a dollar of retirement pay for every dollar of VA disability compensation they receive — essentially canceling out one of their benefits. The Major Richard Star Act would let them collect both checks in full, which could mean thousands of extra dollars per month for tens of thousands of combat-injured retirees.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.

Combat veterans Chad Rogers and Lyle Allen share their struggles with the current benefit offset policy. The Major Richard Star Act would allow medically retired veterans with less than 20 years of service to receive both retirement pay and disability compensation simultaneously.

A bipartisan group of senators reintroduced the Major Richard Star Act in March 2025. The legislation aims to eliminate the dollar-for-dollar offset that reduces retirement pay for service members medically retired due to combat injuries before reaching 20 years of service.

Senator Jon Tester discusses the Major Richard Star Act, arguing it is only fair that veterans forced to retire due to combat injuries receive both retirement and disability pay. He emphasizes that the nation must live up to its agreement with the all-volunteer military force.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Major Richard Star Act
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