A House vote is expected after the election. Ask your representative to vote YES.

Take action

Contact your lawmakers

Your message goes directly to your lawmakers, through their own phone lines and contact forms. PassTheStarAct.org is an independent campaign and never sends messages on your behalf.

1 Find your lawmakers
2 Call, or choose who to write to
3 Write a letter

01 Step one

Find your lawmakers

03 Step three

Write a letter to

Congressional staff read personal letters closely and tally form letters in bulk. A few sentences in your own words make your message count. Every prompt is optional.

1. Who are you?

2. Your service

Need ideas?

What to share about your service

General is fine.

You don’t have to name a diagnosis. “A blast injury,” “injuries from combat,” or “an illness from burn pit exposure” is enough.

Sentence starters (tap to add, then fill in the blanks):

For family members and caregivers

What you’ve given up (work, time, plans), what you see your veteran go through, what full pay would change for your household.

Sentence starters (tap to add, then fill in the blanks):

3. What has the offset cost you?

Need ideas?

What the offset has cost you: ideas to consider

Choose what’s true for you.

Working through pain or symptoms because you need the income
Taking a second job, or a job you’re not suited for
A spouse leaving work to become a caregiver
Putting off treatment, therapy, or equipment because of cost
Falling behind on rent or a mortgage, or selling a home
Taking on debt, or draining savings
Missing time with your kids, or things your kids had to go without
The feeling of being penalized for how you were hurt

Sentence starters (tap to add, then fill in the blanks):

Use the dollar amount only if you know it. Otherwise, use the second starter.

4. What would your full, earned pay make possible?

Need ideas?

What your full, earned pay would make possible: ideas

Keeping up with rent or a mortgage
A reliable car to get to medical appointments
Therapy or treatment not otherwise covered
Home changes for accessibility
Childcare, or a spouse being able to work again
Your kids’ education
Saving for retirement, like any other retiree

Sentence starters (tap to add, then fill in the blanks):

5. Anything local?

Need ideas?

Local details that get noticed

Your town or county, your VFW/Legion/DAV post, a nearby base, a local VA clinic.

Sentence starters (tap to add, then fill in the blanks):

Your city or townUsed in your closing line so the office knows you’re a constituent.

Tips: do’s, don’ts, and if writing is hard right now

Do

Use your own words. One true, specific detail beats a polished paragraph.
Keep it to 150–300 words. Short is fine.
Be respectful, even if you’re frustrated. Staff pass along courteous letters.
Name the bill: the Major Richard Star Act, H.R. 2102.

Don’t

Copy paragraphs from websites, including this one. Offices recognize repeated text.
Include your Social Security number, VA file number, or detailed medical records.
Guess at numbers you don’t know.
Attack the lawmaker, a party, or other veterans. It gets letters set aside.

Privacy note: Congressional offices keep the messages they receive. Share only what you’re comfortable with.

If writing is hard right now

One sentence of your own is enough. So is a phone call (on the Take Action page, the call script is on each lawmaker’s card).
Try your device’s voice-to-text.
Ask a family member or a service officer at your VFW, Legion, or DAV post to help you write it.

Your letter

0 words. Most effective letters are 150–300 words.

Paste your letter into their form. Offices only accept messages from constituents through their own forms. The form will ask for your address to confirm you live in their district.

Email a copy to myself