Senator Ashley Moody (R-FL) announced her co-sponsorship of the Major Richard Star Act on Thursday, legislation designed to ensure that combat-injured veteran retirees receive their full earned disability compensation and retirement pay. This critical bill seeks to rectify a longstanding injustice affecting over 50,000 combat-injured military retirees nationwide.
Currently, only veterans with a disability rating above 50 percent and more than 20 years of service are eligible to receive the full amount of both their Department of Defense (DOD) retirement and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability payments.
The Major Richard Star Act would close this gap, allowing all retired combat veterans to receive their full VA disability and DOD retirement payments, regardless of their length of service or disability rating threshold.
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Moody emphasized the importance of this legislation, stating, “The brave men and women who were injured in combat to protect this great country deserve the full benefits that they rightfully earned. Today, I am proud to stand with this bipartisan group of colleagues as a cosponsor of the Major Richard Star Act. Florida is the most veteran-friendly state in the nation, and this common-sense bill is another way we can show our thanks for keeping our nation safe.”
The legislation enjoys broad bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress. Senator Moody joins lead co-sponsors Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Rick Scott (R-FL).
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Senator Blumenthal highlighted the urgency of the measure, calling it “one of the deepest injustices in our present veterans’ disability system. It is unacceptable that tens of thousands of combat-injured veterans are denied the full military benefits they earned.” Senator Crapo added, “The Major Richard Star Act corrects a severe injustice for combat-wounded veterans. The support for this correction is clear.”
Senator Warren underscored the government’s responsibility: “Our veterans put their lives on the line for this country and it’s time our government gives them the full benefits they’ve earned.” Senator Scott, a proud veteran himself, echoed these sentiments, stating, “This legislation makes a critical change to treat our veterans fairly and support our nation’s heroes. I urge my colleagues to support its quick passage.”
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The Major Richard Star Act is named in honor of Major Richard A. Star, a decorated war veteran who was medically retired due to combat-related injuries and sadly passed away from cancer in February 2021. The Senate version of the bill currently boasts 74 bipartisan co-sponsors.
Its House companion, introduced by Congressmen Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Raul Ruiz (D-CA), has garnered an impressive 280 bipartisan co-sponsors, signaling strong momentum for its passage. This widespread support underscores a shared commitment to honoring the sacrifices of combat-injured veterans and ensuring they receive the full benefits they are due.
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