Bill > HR234

This resolution urges the United States Congress to support the Major Richard Star Act (H.R. 2102), which aims to address an unfair policy affecting medically retired service members. Currently, veterans who retire due to medical reasons before completing 20 years of service have their retirement pay reduced by a dollar for every dollar of disability compensation they receive. The resolution highlights the story of Major Richard Star, an Iraq and Afghanistan veteran who was diagnosed with lung cancer after exposure to burn pits, and was forced to retire early, thus unable to collect full retirement and disability benefits. An estimated 50,000 retired service members are impacted by this policy, with the average monthly offset being approximately $1,900. The Major Richard Star Act would remove these restrictions, ensuring that medically retired service members can receive their full retirement pay and Department of Veterans Affairs disability benefits. The resolution emphasizes that the United States owes these benefits to its veterans and calls on both the House of Representatives and the Senate to support the legislation. Additionally, the resolution requests that a copy of the resolution be sent to each member of Congress from Pennsylvania.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=R&bn=234