Pappas Leads Effort to Discharge Major Richard Star Act, Correct Injustice for Veterans

Today Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee (HVAC) and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, was the third member to sign a discharge petition for the Major Richard Star Act. This legislation currently has 330 cosponsors and would end the “wounded veteran tax”, or the offset that keeps medically retired veterans from receiving their full Department of Defense retirement pay and their full Veterans Affairs disability pay. The discharge petition was filed by House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Ranking Member Mark Takano (CA-39) and Congressman Raul Ruiz (CA-25).

“The bipartisan Major Richard Star Act corrects a gross injustice for thousands of combat-injured veterans who are seeing their benefits drastically reduced,” said Congressman Pappas. “The bill has more than 300 bipartisan cosponsors but has not been brought to a vote on the floor. That can change if a majority of House members sign this discharge petition. We must use every tool possible to ensure our nation’s heroes receive the full benefits they earned.”

"For years, veterans have been expressing the urgent need to end the 'wounded veteran tax'. We've heard them loud and clear. Their number one priority is our priority. We must pass the Major Richard Star Act," said Ranking Member Takano. “Paying the full cost of war shouldn't be partisan; it's the right thing to do. It is time for us to act.”

“After serving and sacrificing for our nation, too many veterans face unnecessary roadblocks in receiving the benefits they need, have earned, and deserve. The Major Richard Star Act would repeal the unjust law that stands in the way of veterans receiving the military retirement pay and service-connected disability compensation that they have rightfully earned. These are not two sides of the same coin, they are two separate promises our country made to its warriors, and it is long past time we correct this. That is why we are filing this discharge petition today: Congress must act," said Congressman Ruiz.

The Major Richard Star Act is supported by Veterans of Foreign Wars, The American Legion, Wounded Warrior Project, Disabled American Veterans, and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, and a number of other Veterans Service Organizations.

Pappas has been a cosponsor of the Major Richard Star Act every Congress since being elected in 2019.