Ranking Member Takano: It is Time to Pass Major Richard Star Act

WASHINGTON–Today, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Ranking Member Mark Takano (CA-39) held a press conference to demand the passage of the Major Richard Star Act by Veterans Day. The Major Richard Star Act legislation will end the “wounded veteran tax,” or the offset that keeps 59,000 medically retired veterans from receiving their full Department of Defense retirement pay and their full Department of Veterans Affairs disability pay.

“Veterans, we have heard your call for action, and we are ready to help deliver relief. For 59,000 combat-injured veterans, relief has been long overdue, but House Democrats have worked tirelessly to change that. We are closer than ever; now is the moment to finish the job. We refuse to settle for half-measures when it comes to our nation’s combat-injured veterans, and I urge my colleagues in the Senate to act swiftly so we can deliver this critical support before Veterans Day," said Ranking Member Takano.

“Combat-wounded veterans who were forced to medically retire are being shortchanged by the VA,” said Congressman Raul Ruiz (CA-25), one of the original authors of the bill. “For every dollar in VA disability compensation these veterans receive, a dollar is taken out of their retirement pay. Our veterans deserve respect, they do NOT deserve to be treated like a burdensome, expendable line item in a budget. That is why I am proud to co-author the Major Richard Star Act, which ends this unfair offset. Our veterans stood up for us. Now we must stand up for them. I urge Speaker Johnson to bring it up for a vote and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote yes.”

“Combat-injured veterans are still waiting for Congress to right this wrong, and they have waited long enough,” said Corey Geisler, VFW’s Commander-in-Chief, who served in the U.S. Army and is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. "We want the full Star Act: no cuts, no caps, no gimmicks. Honor the contract.”

Veterans and family members spoke as well, including retired Air Force veteran Naomi Mathis and Army infantry veteran Scott Craig. A number of Veteran Service Organizations participated in the event, including Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Jewish War Veterans, Marine Corps League, Reserve Organization of America, as well as veterans and family members impacted by this legislation.

The Major Richard Star Act is supported by the above organizations as well as Wounded Warrior Project, Veterans Justice Alliance, American Legion, Military Officers Association of America, Vietnam Veterans of America, National Guard Association of the United States, Blue Star Families, Fleet Reserve Association, Elizabeth Dole Foundation, Team Rubicon, Blinded Veterans Association, Non Commissioned Officers Association, Military Family Association, Air Force Sergeants Association, Association of the U.S. Army, U.S. Army Warrant Officers Association, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, National Defense Committee, Mission Roll Call, and a number of other Veterans Service and Advocacy Organizations.

The full recording of the press conference can be found here.

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