Skip to main content

The House voted 245–175 to move the Star Act forward. Ask your representative to vote YES on what comes next.Home for Thanksgiving? Talk about the Star Act at the table.

About 20 scheduled Senate session days left this year · This Congress ends Jan. 3, 2027 (52 days)Why the clock matters

Facts last checked November 11, 2026

Where Maryland’s lawmakers stand

Both of Maryland’s senators are cosponsors. 6 of its 8 House members back the bill, and 7 signed the discharge petition that forces a House vote.

Contact your lawmakers

Not on record yet: ask them first

These 2 members of Congress from Maryland 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.

Get a call script and letter

Maryland’s senators

  • Sen. Chris Van Hollen

    ★ Cosponsor of the Star Act

    Since April 28, 2025

    202-224-4654 · Website

  • Sen. Angela D. Alsobrooks

    ★ Cosponsor of the Star Act

    Since April 30, 2025

    202-224-4524 · Website

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?”

Maryland’s House members

Maryland House members: Star Act cosponsorship and discharge petition signatures
DistrictMemberCosponsorDischarge petitionDischarge vote, Nov 11
MD-1Andy HarrisNot yetNot signedNay
MD-2Johnny Olszewski, Jr.Yes, since April 29, 2025Signed May 21, 2026Yea
MD-3Sarah ElfrethYes, since March 25, 2025Signed May 21, 2026Yea
MD-4Glenn IveyYes, since March 14, 2025Signed May 21, 2026Yea
MD-5Steny H. HoyerNot yetSigned May 21, 2026Yea
MD-6April McClain DelaneyYes, since March 14, 2025Signed May 21, 2026Yea
MD-7Kweisi MfumeYes, since July 21, 2025Signed May 21, 2026Yea
MD-8Jamie RaskinYes, since March 14, 2025Signed June 4, 2026Yea

Signing the discharge petition is a separate procedural step. Many cosponsors who didn’t sign it still support the bill.

In their words

From Maryland members’ own press releases, quoted word for word. Quoting a lawmaker doesn’t mean they endorse this campaign.

  • “We owe combat-injured veteran retirees their full benefits, and this bipartisan legislation does just that. These critical benefits were earned by veterans’ service. We owe it to them to get this passed”

    Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD)

    Press release on reintroducing the bill, May 21, 2025

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