What happened
- On Veterans Day, November 11, the House passed the Take Care of America's Veterans Act (TCAVA, H.R. 9237) by voice vote. This package of more than 60 veterans bills includes a version of the Star Act, but it also carries changes that would hurt veterans.
- The same day, the House voted 245-175 to force a vote on the standalone Major Richard Star Act (H.R. 2102). On November 12, it passed 392-18.
- Both bills now head to the Senate, where the Star Act's companion is S. 1032.
Why it matters
The Star Act ends the offset that reduces the retired pay of combat-injured retirees with fewer than 20 years of service. They would receive both the retired pay they earned and the VA disability compensation they were awarded. They have waited long enough.
AFSA's position
Pass the clean Star Act. The Senate should pass the standalone bill and send it to the President.
TCAVA must be fixed before it can be considered. AFSA has serious concerns about a pay cap in TCAVA's version of the Star Act, and about new costs and cuts elsewhere in the package. Before the Senate takes up TCAVA, these changes are a must:
- Remove the pay cap from the Star Act language (Sec. 101)
- Remove the new VA home loan fees (Sec. 104(b) and the new fee in Sec. 104(c))
- Remove the VA disability rating changes for tinnitus and sleep apnea (Sec. 108)
We will not balance the budget on the backs of veterans.
Take action
Contact both of your senators today and ask them to pass the clean Major Richard Star Act.