Major Richard Star Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2102
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-04-04: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-30T08:06:31Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Major Richard Star Act (H.R. 2102) aims to allow certain military retirees who are disabled due to combat-related injuries to receive both their retirement pay and veterans' disability compensation at the same time, without any reductions. This addresses a previous rule that required offsetting (reducing) one payment against the other.
Key Provisions
- Eligibility for Concurrent Receipt: Applies to members or former members of the armed forces retired under Chapter 61 of Title 10 of the U.S. Code (disability retirement) who have a combat-related disability, as defined in existing law (Section 1413a(e)).
- Amendments to Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC): Updates Section 1413a(b) to ensure that retirement pay is not reduced under Title 38 Sections 5304 and 5305 (rules that previously offset disability payments against retirement pay).
- Special Rule for Disability Retirees: Revises Section 1414(b) to explicitly allow full payment of both retirement pay and disability compensation for qualifying combat-related cases, without offsets.
- Technical and Conforming Changes:
- Removes outdated language related to a phase-in period for concurrent receipt (assuming it has ended).
- Updates section headings, tables of contents, and cross-references in Title 10 for clarity.
- Effective Date: Changes take effect on the first day of the month after the bill's enactment, applying to payments from that point forward.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Elimination of Offsets: Previously, under Title 38 Sections 5304 and 5305, veterans' disability compensation reduced retirement pay dollar-for-dollar (known as the "VA waiver" or offset rule). This bill removes that reduction specifically for combat-related disabilities among Chapter 61 retirees.
- Simplification of Concurrent Receipt Rules: Builds on prior laws like the National Defense Authorization Acts that phased in concurrent receipt for non-combat disabilities; this extends full benefits immediately to combat cases without phase-in delays.
- No Broader Expansion: Limits changes to combat-related disabilities, preserving offsets for non-combat cases.
Potential Impacts
- On Veterans: Increases financial support for affected retirees, potentially adding thousands of dollars annually to their income, improving quality of life for those injured in combat.
- On Government Agencies: The Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will need to adjust payment systems and budgets; this could raise federal spending by an estimated amount (not specified in the bill) due to dual payments.
- On Citizens and International Relations: Primarily domestic, benefiting U.S. military veterans; no direct international effects, though it reinforces U.S. commitment to supporting troops, which could indirectly aid recruitment and morale.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Primary Beneficiaries: Military retirees under disability retirement (Chapter 61) with combat-related injuries, such as those from wounds, accidents, or illnesses tied to armed conflict.
- Government Entities: DoD (handles retirement pay) and VA (administers disability compensation); both will process more concurrent payments.
- Congress and Advocacy Groups: Bipartisan cosponsors (over 100 members from both parties) indicate broad support; veteran organizations like the American Legion or Disabled American Veterans may advocate for or benefit from expanded implementation.
- Taxpayers: Indirectly affected through increased federal expenditures on veteran benefits.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens veterans' benefits under Title 10 and Title 38, aligning with constitutional obligations to support the military (Article I, Section 8). No challenges to separation of powers anticipated, as it amends existing statutes without creating new agencies.
- Constitutional: Supports the government's duty to "provide for the common defense" by enhancing compensation for combat-injured service members, potentially reducing future litigation over benefit offsets.
- Political: Demonstrates rare bipartisan consensus (evident in extensive cosponsorship list), signaling strong public and congressional priority on veteran care. Could set precedent for further expansions of concurrent receipt to non-combat disabilities, influencing future defense budgets and elections focused on military support.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12]
Cosponsors (337)
Rep. Ruiz, Raul [D-CA-25], Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2], Rep. Webster, Daniel [R-FL-11], Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3], Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1], Rep. Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4], Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17], Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24], Rep. Keating, William R. [D-MA-9], Rep. Boyle, Brendan F. [D-PA-2], Rep. Feenstra, Randy [R-IA-4], Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15], Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2], Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2], Rep. Connolly, Gerald E. [D-VA-11], Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3], Rep. Miller, Max L. [R-OH-7], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Golden, Jared F. [D-ME-2], Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5], Rep. Sherrill, Mikie [D-NJ-11], Rep. Finstad, Brad [R-MN-1], Rep. Ciscomani, Juan [R-AZ-6], Rep. Turner, Michael R. [R-OH-10], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19], Rep. Sorensen, Eric [D-IL-17], Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2], Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13], Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7], Rep. Bice, Stephanie I. [R-OK-5], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Barr, Andy [R-KY-6], Rep. Morelle, Joseph D. [D-NY-25], Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11], Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Cammack, Kat [R-FL-3], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1], Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11], Rep. Perez, Marie Gluesenkamp [D-WA-3], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1] and 287 more
Recent Actions
- 2025-04-04: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
- 2025-03-14: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-03-14: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-03-14: Introduced in House
- 2025-03-14: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Major Richard Star Act — issued 2025-03-14 — PDF (5 pages)