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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 Tennessee’s lawmakers stand

One of Tennessee’s senators is a cosponsor. 5 of its 9 House members back the bill, and 1 signed the discharge petition that forces a House vote.

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These 5 members of Congress from Tennessee 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.

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Tennessee’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?”

Tennessee’s House members

Tennessee House members: Star Act cosponsorship and discharge petition signatures
DistrictMemberCosponsorDischarge petitionDischarge vote, Nov 11
TN-1Diana HarshbargerYes, since April 2, 2025Not signedNay
TN-2Tim BurchettNot yetNot signedYea
TN-3Charles J. "Chuck" FleischmannYes, since March 14, 2025Not signedNay
TN-4Scott DesJarlaisYes, since March 14, 2025Not signedNay
TN-5Andrew OglesNot yetNot signedNay
TN-6John W. RoseNot yetNot signedNay
TN-7Matt Van EppsYes, since May 7, 2026Not signedNay
TN-8David KustoffNot yetNot signedNay
TN-9Steve CohenYes, since March 14, 2025Signed June 3, 2026Yea

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

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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