Read the full stored bill text
UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 2621
Page 1 of 2
XXXX 4/1/2026 7:51 PM Jacketed
A RESOLUTION recognizing the filing of the Major Richard Star Act, a bill 1
exploring an opportunity for veterans with disabilities to receive their full United State s 2
Department of Defense retirement pay and United States Department of Veterans Affairs 3
disability compensation without offset. 4
WHEREAS, the Major Richard Star Act (H.R. 2102, S. 1032) is proposed 5
bipartisan legislation in 119th Congress that seeks to amen d federal law to expand 6
eligibility for concurrent receipt of disability compensation and retirement pay for 7
veterans; and 8
WHEREAS, current federal law requires a dollar -for-dollar offset of disability 9
compensation and retirement pay for a veteran with a d isability who was medically 10
retired with fewer than 20 years of service, denying them the full benefits they earned 11
through their service and sacrifice; and 12
WHEREAS, approximately 50,000 veterans with disabilities, including those who 13
sustained combat -related injuries, are affected by this offset, resulting in significant 14
financial hardship, with an average loss of approximately $1,900 per month in earned 15
benefits based on 2022 estimates from the Congressional Budget Office; and 16
WHEREAS, the Major Richard S tar Act aims to allow an eligible veteran with a 17
disability to receive both his or her full United States Department of Defense retirement 18
pay and United States Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation 19
concurrently; and 20
WHEREAS, the bill has garnered significant bipartisan support in Congress with 21
substantial co-sponsorship in both the House of Representatives and the Senate; and 22
WHEREAS, Kentucky is home to approximately 285,000 veterans, one of the 23
larger veteran populations in the nation, w ith many veterans with disabilities who have 24
served honorably and who are impacted by the current offset policy; and 25
WHEREAS, more than 50 veterans' organizations, including the Wounded Warrior 26
Project, the American Legion, and AMVETS (American Veterans), have endorsed the 27
UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 2621
Page 2 of 2
XXXX 4/1/2026 7:51 PM Jacketed
Major Richard Star Act, highlighting its importance in the veteran community; and 1
WHEREAS, Congress has a duty to care for veterans with disabilities by ensuring 2
they receive the support and benefits earned through their service; and 3
WHEREAS, veterans with disabilities are advocating Congress for the elimination 4
of this offset, and expressing their concerns with the current policy; and 5
WHEREAS, the Major Richard Star Act aims to honor and support all veterans, 6
including those in Kentucky, by ensuring they receive the full benefits they earned 7
through their service, regardless of their length of service; and 8
WHEREAS, the General Assembly recognizes the importance of continued 9
conversations related to veterans with disabilities who have sacrificed for our nation; 10
NOW, THEREFORE, 11
Be it resolved by the Senate of the General Assembly of the Co mmonwealth of 12
Kentucky: 13
Section 1. The Senate hereby recognizes the filing of the Major Richard Star 14
Act (H.R. 2102, S. 1032) in the United States Congress, an effort to ensure veterans with 15
disabilities receive their full United States Department of Defense retirement pay and 16
United States Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation without offset. 17
Section 2. The Clerk of the Senate is directed to transmit a copy of this 18
Resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States, t he Speaker of the 19
United States House of Representatives, the Majority Leader of the United States Senate, 20
members of the Kentucky congressional delegation, and to the sponsor and co -sponsors 21
of this Resolution for distribution. 22