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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 Mexico’s lawmakers stand

Both of New Mexico’s senators are cosponsors. All 3 of its House members back the bill, and all signed the discharge petition that forces a House vote.

Contact your lawmakers

All 5 of New Mexico’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 Mexico’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 Mexico’s House members

New Mexico House members: Star Act cosponsorship and discharge petition signatures
DistrictMemberCosponsorDischarge petitionDischarge vote, Nov 11
NM-1Melanie A. StansburyYes, since March 14, 2025Signed May 21, 2026Yea
NM-2Gabe VasquezYes, since March 25, 2025Signed May 21, 2026Yea
NM-3Teresa Leger FernandezYes, since March 27, 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 Mexico members’ own press releases, quoted word for word. Quoting a lawmaker doesn’t mean they endorse this campaign.

  • “Veterans who have been injured on the frontlines are patriots who have risked it all for our country, and they deserve full and fair compensation”

    Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-NM)

    Press release on supporting the bill, May 28, 2026

  • “The men and women who risked their lives for our country and were injured in combat deserve the full benefits they have earned.”

    Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM)

    Press release on introducing the bill, March 19, 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.

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