Wounded Warrior Project, Congressional Leaders Call for Relief for Wounded Veterans

WASHINGTON, DC, May 29, 2025 – Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP), a leading veterans service organization, along with Sen. Richard Blumenthal (CT) and Rep. Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-25), held a press conference on May 21 to urge Congress to pass the bipartisan Major Richard Star Act.

Currently, more than 54,000 veterans are seeing their retirement pay offset – dollar for dollar – by the amount of their disability compensation, with an average monthly loss of $1,200 every month. Under the Major Richard Star Act, former Service members who were medically retired from the military (Chapter 61 retirees) due to combat or combat-related injuries AND are eligible for Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) would no longer be affected by the offset.  

“This Memorial Day, let’s honor our veterans—our fallen brothers and sisters—with action on the Major Richard Star Act. Nothing is more fundamental than to give our veterans what they are due. Nothing is more unjust than to take away, dollar for dollar, their disability benefits, simply because they are getting retirement pay. It’s not double dipping. This is fairness, justice, and we need to get it done,” said Senator Blumenthal, who introduced the bill in the Senate.

“The brave men and women who return from serving our country should be able to receive the benefits promised to them. Military retirement pay and service-connected disability compensation are two completely different benefits. One does not diminish the merits of the other," said Representative Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), who, along with Rep. Ruiz, introduced the bill in the House. "I am committed to rectifying this injustice for all veterans, and passage of the Major Richard Star Act will get us one step closer to our goal of ensuring that veterans receive the benefits they have earned and deserve."

Last year, the Major Richard Star Act had over 400 cosponsors, making it one of the most supported bills in the entire 118th Congress. This year, the bill has already garnered significant support since its introduction in March, with more than 270 sponsors in the House and more than 70 sponsors in the Senate.

"After serving and sacrificing for our nation, too many veterans face unnecessary roadblocks in receiving the benefits they need, have earned, and deserve," said Representative Ruiz. "The Major Richard Star Act would repeal the unjust law that stands in the way of veterans receiving the military retirement pay and service-connected disability compensation that they have rightfully earned."

The press conference featured wounded warriors from across the country, including Florida, Mississippi, New York, and Virginia, telling their stories of service and sacrifice. In addition, representatives from multiple veteran and military service organizations, including The Military Coalition, were in attendance, all part of a coalition of more than 50 military and veterans support organizations working to advance the Major Richard Star Act.

“No one joins the military to get rich. You want to serve your country.  You don’t think about what could happen to you. You don’t think you’re going to lose a leg. You don’t think about battling depression, alcoholism, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),” said Jamel Daniels, a Marine Corps veteran from New York. “We didn’t think too much about what could happen to us. But we did know, even then, that our country promised to take care of us.

During the press conference, Sen. Blumenthal indicated that he would offer the Major Richard Star Act as an amendment during debate over the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the annual military spending bill.

“The reality is that the Major Richard Star Act is estimated to cost just one-tenth of a percent of our country’s annual Defense budget,” said Jose Ramos, vice president of government and community relations for WWP. “We are not asking for special favors for veterans. We are not asking for the creation of a huge new benefit. We are simply asking for Congress to do the right thing and include the bill in the NDAA or pass it as a stand-alone bill.”