Bilirakis and Ruiz Re-Introduce Major Richard Star Act With Overwhelming Bipartisan Support in House and Senate

Washington, DC: –Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Raul Ruiz (D-CA) have reintroduced the Major Richard Star Act.  This critical legislation will rectify an injustice that keeps combat disabled Veterans from receiving full military benefits. Currently, over 50,000 medically retired veterans are forbidden from receiving their full retirement pay and disability compensation. The Major Richard Star Act would repeal this unfair offset, allowing these disabled Veterans to receive both their retirement pay and their disability compensation. The bill is named in honor of Major Richard A. Star—a father, husband, and decorated war veteran who, as a result of his combat-related injuries, was medically retired. Major Star sadly lost his battle with cancer on February 13, 2021.  Last Congress, Bilirakis and Ruiz secured 335 co-sponsors of this important legislation.  Today, when the bill was introduced, it already had the support of over 200 original cosponsors.  The Senate companion to the House Bill has once again been filed by Senators Tester, Crapo, and Moran, and it has garnered already garnered 48 bipartisan co-sponsors.

"The brave men and women who return from serving our country should be able to receive the benefits promised to them. Military retirement pay and service-connected disability compensation are two completely different benefits. One does not diminish the merits of the other," said Bilirakis. "I am committed to rectifying this injustice for all Veterans, and passage of the Major Richard Star Act will get us one step closer to our goal of ensuring that Veterans receive the benefits they have earned and deserve."

While Congressman Bilirakis has filed legislation each year he has been in office to rectify the injustice of concurrent receipt (H.R. 303) for retirees with 20 years or more of service, he has been simultaneously pursuing the Major Richard Star Act which will allow more Veterans who are just as deserving to receive the benefits to which they are rightfully entitled. "I'd like to thank the Veterans Service Organizations that have been tenacious in their outreach to Members of Congress throughout the country to request co-sponsorship. Because of their unwavering support, we are able to move this bill one step closer to becoming law," Bilirakis added.

"After serving and sacrificing for our nation, too many veterans face unnecessary roadblocks in receiving the benefits they need, have earned, and deserve," said Dr. Ruiz. "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."

"It is with much gratitude that I thank Representatives Bilirakis and Ruiz for introducing the Major Richard Star Act, and for their continued commitment to helping our American soldiers, Veterans, and their families," said Tonya D. Star, spouse of Major Richard Star. "Before Major Richard Star lost his long-fought battle with cancer just a few days ago after 29 years of service, he made me promise him to continue to work with members of Congress to get this bill passed, and help the 42,000 families that would desperately benefit from it. It is my honor to carry on this effort in his memory."

The Major Richard Star Act is endorsed by all leading Veteran Service Organizations throughout the country.