Facts last checked November 11, 2026
Where Kentucky’s lawmakers stand
Neither of Kentucky’s senators is a cosponsor yet. 4 of its 6 House members back the bill, and 2 signed the discharge petition that forces a House vote.
Contact your lawmakersNot on record yet: ask them first
These 4 members of Congress from Kentucky aren’t cosponsors of the Star Act. That doesn’t mean they oppose it, and every one of them can still vote YES. A call from a constituent is how they hear it matters.
- Sen. Mitch McConnellCall 202-224-2541Website
- Sen. Rand PaulCall 202-224-4343Website
- Rep. James Comer (KY-1)Call 202-225-3115Website
- Rep. Brett Guthrie (KY-2)Call 202-225-3501Website
Kentucky’s senators
Sen. Mitch McConnell
Not yet a cosponsor
Sen. Rand Paul
Not yet a cosponsor
The Senate acts after the House. The ask for senators: “When the House passes the clean Star Act, will you pass it without changes before this Congress ends on January 3, 2027, and vote NO on the H.R. 9237 package, which cuts future veterans’ benefits to pay for its version?”
Kentucky’s House members
| District | Member | Cosponsor | Discharge petition | Discharge vote, Nov 11 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KY-1 | James Comer | Not yet | Not signed | Nay |
| KY-2 | Brett Guthrie | Not yet | Not signed | Nay |
| KY-3 | Morgan McGarvey | Yes, since March 14, 2025 | Signed May 21, 2026 | Yea |
| KY-4 | Thomas Massie | Yes, since March 14, 2025 | Signed June 9, 2026 | Yea |
| KY-5 | Harold Rogers | Yes, since June 29, 2026 | Not signed | Nay |
| KY-6 | Andy Barr | Yes, since March 14, 2025 | Not signed | Nay |
Signing the discharge petition is a separate procedural step. Many cosponsors who didn’t sign it still support the bill.
In their words
From Kentucky members’ own press releases, quoted word for word. Quoting a lawmaker doesn’t mean they endorse this campaign.
“Retirement pay is earned through their years of honorable service and disability compensation is intended to address the lasting physical and mental costs of that service. These are essential benefits our veterans should never be forced to choose between”
Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY)
Press release urging passage, April 23, 2026
Why it matters
Combat-injured veterans medically retired before 20 years of service are denied their full retired pay because they also receive VA disability compensation. The clean, standalone Star Act would fix that for about 54,000–60,000 combat-injured veterans medically retired under Chapter 61 with fewer than 20 years of service, without cutting any other veteran’s benefits.
The discharge petition reached 218 signatures on September 15, 2026, which lets supporters force a House vote. On November 11, the House voted 245–175 to discharge H.Res. 1247, the resolution that brings the clean, standalone Star Act to the floor. After debate, a voice vote on the resolution went against it, a recorded vote was demanded, and the House postponed that vote. If the House adopts the resolution, it then debates and votes on the bill.
If Congress hasn’t passed it and sent it to the President by the time this Congress ends on January 3, 2027, it dies and must be reintroduced.
What the bill does · Who qualifies · National status
Source: House Clerk: Discharge Petition No. 22
Cosponsor data from Congress.gov, as of November 11, 2026.
Other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- American Samoa
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Guam
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Northern Mariana Islands
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Puerto Rico
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- U.S. Virgin Islands
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming