House Democrats reach threshold to compel vote on combat-injured veterans pay bill
House Democrats have gathered the 218 signatures needed on a discharge petition to force a floor vote on the Major Richard Star Act, which would allow certain combat-injured veterans to receive both full military retirement pay and full VA disability benefits without offset. The petition reached the threshold after Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina became the 218th signatory. The bill has broad bipartisan support but has been stalled over its estimated $11 billion cost and a competing GOP proposal that would offset the expense by cutting benefits for tinnitus and sleep apnea.
The discharge petition compels House leadership to schedule floor action, though with the chamber departing Wednesday until after midterm elections, the vote will likely occur in November. The $11 billion cost stems from ending the current practice where retirement pay is reduced by the amount of disability compensation received.
The competing GOP measure, the Take Care of America's Veterans Act, bundles the Star Act with other stalled veterans legislation but pays for it by codifying proposed reductions to tinnitus and sleep apnea benefits — a provision that has divided veterans groups and left that bill stalled. Five Republicans joined every House Democrat in signing the petition.
This measure could affect roughly 59,000 combat-injured veterans who currently face reduced retirement pay. If passed, it may provide meaningful financial relief to those who left service early due to battlefield injuries. However, the competing GOP proposal's funding mechanism could reduce benefits for veterans with tinnitus and sleep apnea, potentially shifting burdens within the veteran community. The outcome may also signal how Congress handles mandatory spending increases and bipartisan veterans legislation during an election cycle.