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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 New Jersey’s lawmakers stand

Both of New Jersey’s senators are cosponsors. All 12 of its House members back the bill, and 10 signed the discharge petition that forces a House vote.

Contact your lawmakers

All 14 of New Jersey’s lawmakers are cosponsors

Thank them, and ask them to keep pushing until the Star Act passes both chambers before this Congress ends on January 3, 2027.

Thank your lawmakers

New Jersey’s senators

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?”

New Jersey’s House members

New Jersey House members: Star Act cosponsorship and discharge petition signatures
DistrictMemberCosponsorDischarge petitionDischarge vote, Nov 11
NJ-1Donald NorcrossYes, since March 14, 2025Signed June 3, 2026Yea
NJ-2Jefferson Van DrewYes, since March 14, 2025Signed June 4, 2026Yea
NJ-3Herbert C. Conaway, Jr.Yes, since March 31, 2025Signed May 21, 2026Yea
NJ-4Christopher H. SmithYes, since March 14, 2025Not signedYea
NJ-5Josh GottheimerYes, since March 14, 2025Signed June 4, 2026Yea
NJ-6Frank Pallone, Jr.Yes, since March 14, 2025Signed May 21, 2026Yea
NJ-7Thomas H. Kean, Jr.Yes, since March 14, 2025Not signedYea
NJ-8Robert MenendezYes, since June 30, 2025Signed May 21, 2026Yea
NJ-9Nellie PouYes, since March 31, 2025Signed May 21, 2026Yea
NJ-10LaMonica McIverYes, since March 21, 2025Signed May 21, 2026Yea
NJ-11Analilia MejiaYes, since September 10, 2026Signed May 21, 2026Yea
NJ-12Bonnie Watson ColemanYes, since April 8, 2025Signed May 21, 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 New Jersey members’ own press releases, quoted word for word. Quoting a lawmaker doesn’t mean they endorse this campaign.

  • “These veterans earned both benefits through their service and sacrifice, and they should not be forced to choose between them.”

    Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ)

    Press release calling for passage, July 17, 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.

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