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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

Pass the Star Act

Talk about it at the table

Home for the holidays, at the post, or in the family group chat: many people have never heard of the offset. Here’s how to explain it in a minute, and how to turn the conversation into calls to Congress.

The problem in two sentences

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 Major Richard Star Act would fix that, without cutting any other veteran’s benefits.

Four facts worth remembering

  • Who it helps: about 54,000–60,000 combat-injured veterans medically retired under Chapter 61 with fewer than 20 years of service.
  • What it means: CBO estimates affected retirees would receive about $1,450 more a month in total compensation, on average.
  • Who supports it: about 340 House cosponsors and about 80 Senate cosponsors, from both parties.
  • The deadline: 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.

Where these come from: passthestaract.org/press

If someone asks…

“Why should they get both payments?”
Because they’re paid for two different things. Retired pay is earned by years of service. VA compensation is for an injury or illness caused by service. Veterans with 20+ years and a 50%+ rating can generally already receive both.
“Didn’t the election change everything?”
Not for this bill. The members serving now cast the votes in November and December, including those who are retiring or lost re-election. New members don’t take office until January 3, 2027, the day this Congress ends.
“Does one call really matter?”
Yes. Congressional staff pay close attention to personal messages from constituents. A short, polite call or note in your own words, with one clear ask, is how a member hears that this matters to the people they represent.
“What can I do right now?”
Call your representative and both senators. Enter your ZIP code at passthestaract.org/take-action and you’ll get their numbers and a short script. It takes about five minutes.

Text this to someone

Combat-injured veterans who were medically retired before 20 years lose part of their military retirement pay because they also get VA disability pay. The Major Richard Star Act would fix that, and Congress has until Jan. 3 to pass it. It takes 5 minutes to call your representative and senators: passthestaract.org/take-action

Make it a group effort

Find your lawmakers: passthestaract.org/take-action

PassTheStarAct.org, an independent, veteran-led campaign.