Terms, explained

Concurrent receipt

Receiving both military retired pay and VA disability compensation at the same time, in full. Retired pay is earned by service; VA disability compensation is for the injury. Without concurrent receipt, retired pay is reduced by the VA compensation a veteran receives.

How the offset works

The offset (“wounded veteran tax”)

The dollar-for-dollar reduction in military retired pay for many service members medically retired because of combat-related injuries before reaching 20 years of service. Supporters of the Star Act call it the wounded veteran tax.

Why it’s called the wounded veteran tax

Chapter 61 retirement

Military disability (medical) retirement under Chapter 61 of title 10 of the U.S. Code. The Star Act is about Chapter 61 retirees with fewer than 20 years of service.

Who the Star Act covers

CRDP (Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay)

Full concurrent receipt for retirees with 20 or more years of service and a VA rating of 50% or higher. Chapter 61 retirees with 20 or more years also qualify, but capped. It doesn’t help combat-injured veterans retired before 20 years.

Who qualifies

CRSC (Combat-Related Special Compensation)

A tax-free payment for combat-related disabilities, regardless of years served. For Chapter 61 retirees with fewer than 20 years, the current rules still leave them short of full concurrent receipt. The clean, standalone Star Act changes the CRSC rules so their retired pay is not reduced.

What the bill changes

Combat-related

A legal definition broader than battlefield wounds: a disability from an injury for which the member received the Purple Heart, or one incurred as a direct result of armed conflict, hazardous service, conditions simulating war (such as training exercises), or an instrumentality of war. Toxic exposures like burn pits can qualify when tied to these conditions. Each service’s CRSC office makes the determination, not the VA rating.

Source: 10 U.S.C. §1413a

H.R. 2102 and S. 1032

The Major Richard Star Act in the current (119th) Congress. H.R. 2102 was introduced in the House on March 14, 2025; S. 1032 is the Senate companion, announced March 18, 2025. This campaign asks senators to pass the House-passed H.R. 2102.

The bill and its versions

Sources: Congress.gov: H.R. 2102 · Congress.gov: S. 1032

The clean, standalone Star Act

The version brought to the House floor by the discharge petition (H.Res. 1247). It changes only the CRSC rules, so that about 54,000–60,000 combat-injured veterans medically retired under Chapter 61 with fewer than 20 years of service receive their full retired pay alongside VA compensation. It doesn’t cut any other veteran’s benefits.

Compare the versions

Source: GovInfo: H.Res. 1247 text

Discharge petition

A way for a majority of the House to force a vote on a bill that leadership hasn’t scheduled. With 218 signatures, the motion waits seven legislative days; then any signer can call it up, and the Speaker must schedule it within two legislative days. The Star Act’s petition (No. 22) reached 218 on September 15, 2026.

Where it stands

Sources: MOAA, Sept. 2026 · House Clerk: Discharge Petition No. 22

Unanimous consent (Senate)

A request on the Senate floor to act without the usual procedure, such as passing a bill without a recorded vote. If no senator objects, it happens; if any one senator objects, the request is rejected. An objection blocks the request but isn’t a vote on the bill.

Where it stands

Source: U.S. Senate glossary: unanimous consent

TCAVA (H.R. 9237)

The Take Care of America’s Veterans Act, a 62-bill veterans package introduced in June 2026 with its own, narrower Star Act section. House leaders pulled it just before a final vote on July 16, 2026, then passed it by voice vote on November 11, 2026. It pays for its Star Act section by lowering disability ratings on future claims for sleep apnea and tinnitus. This campaign opposes it.

How it differs

Sources: Stars and Stripes, July 16, 2026 · House Clerk: floor proceedings, Nov. 11, 2026

Lame-duck session

The weeks after a November election when the outgoing Congress is still in session. Every current member keeps their vote until the Congress ends on January 3, including members who are retiring or lost re-election. For the Star Act, it’s the last chance to pass both chambers before the bill dies with this Congress.

Is it too late?

End of the Congress

Each Congress lasts two years. This one, the 119th, ends on January 3, 2027. Any bill that hasn’t passed both chambers and gone to the President by then dies, and has to be reintroduced and start over in the next Congress.

This page is general information, not benefits advice. Confirm your own situation with your service’s CRSC office or a free accredited service officer (DAV, VFW, American Legion).