Supporting Passage of the S. 1032 / H.R 2102 Major Richard Star Act

Adopted at the 94th Annual Meeting in 2026

  • WHEREAS, under current federal law, many combat-injured veterans who were medically retired with fewer than 20 years of service face a dollar-for-dollar offset between Department of Defense retirement pay and Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation, reducing benefits they earned through their service and sacrifice; and

    WHEREAS, more than 50,000 combat-injured retirees nationwide are affected by this policy, and advocates have described the current offset as a wounded veteran tax because it forces these veterans to forfeit a portion of the benefits they earned; and

    WHEREAS, passing the Major Richard Star Act, would correct that inequity by allowing eligible combat-injured medical retirees who qualify for Combat-Related Special Compensation to receive both their full military retirement pay and their full VA disability compensation without offset; and

    WHEREAS, the legislation has been introduced as bipartisan, bicameral legislation, and veterans advocates continue to urge Congress to pass it as a matter of fairness for combat-wounded retirees and their families; and

    WHEREAS, the United States Conference of Mayors has long supported policies that strengthen veterans, military families, and the communities that welcome them home; and

    NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the United States Conference of Mayors supports passage of the S. 1032 / H.R 2102 Major Richard Star Act, and urges Congress to act swiftly to ensure passage of this bill.
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