Barr Urges Passage of the Major Richard Star Act to Support Combat-Wounded Veterans

Washington, D.C.-Today, U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY) is calling on House leadership to pass the Major Richard Star Act (H.R. 2102), a bipartisan bill to correct a longstanding injustice impacting combat-wounded veterans.

The Major Richard Star Act seeks to eliminate what is widely known as the "wounded veteran tax," a policy that forces medically retired, combat-injured veterans to forfeit a portion of their earned military retirement pay to receive disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

In a letter to house leadership, the Congressman emphasized the urgent need to pass this legislation-either as a standalone bill or as part of a broader legislative package, such as the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

"Retirement pay is earned through their years of honorable service and disability compensation is intended to address the lasting physical and mental costs of that service. These are essential benefits our veterans should never be forced to choose between," said Congressman Barr. "This is a matter of fairness, dignity, and taking care of our soldiers that have faced combat. Action is long overdue-and we must deliver for our veterans now."

"On behalf of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Kentucky, we commend Andy Barr for urging House leadership to pass the Major Richard Star Act. This long-overdue legislation would correct an unfair offset and ensure combat-injured veterans receive both the retirement pay and disability benefits they have rightfully earned. We strongly encourage swift passage to honor the sacrifices made by those who have served," said Nicole Horseman, Department of Kentucky Commander.

"Combat-injured veterans have sacrificed so much for our nation -- they should not be forced to sacrifice their retirement pay to receive disability compensation," said Lieutenant General Brian T. Kelly, USAF (Ret), president and CEO, Military Officers Association of America. "The Major Richard Star Act would end this unjust offset. We thank Rep. Barr for his leadership on this bill and for standing up for the fairness and dignity these servicemembers have clearly earned."

Today, over 59,000 combat-wounded veterans stand to benefit from this over-due reform that will ease the burdens of a bureaucratic penalty that diminished the benefits they have earned. There is a clear opportunity to fulfil the obligation we owe to the veterans of the United States. H.R. 2102 must be enacted.