Two Bills, One Promise: Bilirakis Moves Closer to Ending Wounded Veteran Tax

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Gus Bilirakis, lead House sponsor of the bipartisan Major Richard Star Act, celebrated House passage of two measures advancing his effort to end the "wounded Veteran tax": the standalone Major Richard Star Act and the Take Care of America's Veterans Act (TCAVA), which includes major provisions of his legislation. Both measures seek to address the unfair offset that prevents certain combat-injured, medically retired Veterans from receiving their earned military retirement pay alongside VA disability compensation.

"Before Major Richard Star passed away, I made him a solemn promise that I would never stop fighting until we ended the wounded Veteran tax," said Congressman Bilirakis. "Our combat-injured Veterans earned these benefits through their service and sacrifice. They deserve both. Advancing these two measures brings us closer to fulfilling that promise, and I will continue pursuing every viable legislative pathway to get this relief signed into law."

Bilirakis supported the discharge petition led by House Democrats to bring his standalone legislation to the floor. He also supported TCAVA, which passed by voice vote and combines dozens of bipartisan measures to strengthen Veterans' health care, benefits, and economic opportunities. TCAVA would increase support for severely disabled Veterans and Gold Star families, improve access to community care and mental health treatment, strengthen caregiver assistance, advance traumatic brain injury research, and expand education and career training opportunities. The package is supported by more than 30 Veterans organizations, advocates, and stakeholders. Unlike the standalone bill which does not speak to how the changes will be funded - an issue that has repeatedly blocked the bill from advancing through the Senate in the past, TCAVA includes a funding offset involving changes to VA disability rating criteria for future sleep apnea and tinnitus claims while protecting existing ratings. The VA has already announced that it will pursue these changes in future rating calculations, whether or not TCAVA becomes law.

"TCAVA's funding mechanism is not the approach I would have chosen. I believe this obligation should be met through Department of Defense funds, and I will continue advocating for a better approach as my colleagues in the Senate evaluate these proposals,"Bilirakis said. "But I will not let the perfect become the enemy of the good while wounded Veterans continue waiting for justice. Standing alongside Major Richard Star's brother, David, after the votes reinforced what this fight means. Our Veterans kept their promise to this country. We must keep ours to them."

Click here to listen to Congressman Bilirakis speak in favor of his Major Richard Star Act on the House Floor just prior to its passage.