Bill > SR116

This resolution urges the United States Congress to support the Major Richard Star Act (H.R. 2102), which would address a significant issue affecting medically retired service members. Currently, veterans who retire before completing 20 years of service and have a disability rating less than 50% have their retirement pay reduced by one dollar for every dollar of disability pay they receive, effectively preventing them from collecting full retirement and disability benefits. 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 experiencing this benefits reduction. An estimated 50,000 retired service members are impacted by these restrictions, with the average monthly offset being approximately $1,900. The proposed legislation would remove these restrictions and ensure that all medically retired service members can receive full access to their retirement pay and Department of Veterans Affairs disability benefits. The resolution emphasizes that the United States owes these benefits to its veterans, and it calls for Congress to pass the Major Richard Star Act to rectify this longstanding issue.