Ruiz and Takano Hold Press Conference Calling on House Members to Sign Discharge Petition and Force a Vote on the Major Richard Star Act

Washington, D.C. - June 4, 2026 - Today, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-25) and Ranking Member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee Rep. Mark Takano (CA-39) held a press conference on the steps of the U.S. Capitol calling on House Members to sign the discharge petition for the Major Richard Star Act (H.R. 2102) - an effort to force House Leadership to bring the bill to the floor for a vote. This bill would end the so-called "wounded veteran tax," an unjust financial penalty stripping combat-wounded veterans of benefits they need, deserve, and earned.

Under current law, veterans who were medically retired from service due to combat-related injuries, known as Chapter 61 disability retirees, face a dollar-for-dollar penalty: every dollar they receive in VA disability compensation is deducted from their military retired pay. More than 54,000 veterans are affected and losing an average of $1,200 per month. The Major Richard Star Act would eliminate this, allowing these combat-wounded servicemembers to receive both benefits in full.

The Major Richard Star Act commands overwhelming bipartisan support, with more than 330 House cosponsors spanning both parties. Despite this broad majority, the legislation has not received a floor vote - prompting Ruiz and Takano to take the rare step of filing a discharge petition to force House Leadership to act.

It is an outrage that our wounded warriors are experiencing a gross injustice. Veterans who were forced to medically retire are penalized and unable to receive both their disability and retirement benefits. The Major Richard Star Act is the solution. The discharge petition will force a vote and with 330 cosponsors it will pass. Our veterans can't wait, sign the petition now. - Rep. Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-25), Lead Democratic Author, Major Richard Star Act

"Despite fulfilling their commitment and fighting for our protection, fifty-nine thousand medically retired veterans who were injured in combat are losing their benefits. Veterans have waited years for Congress to step up. The time is now. That is why I filed a discharge petition with Congressman Ruiz to finally force a vote on the House floor. No more delays. No more excuses."- Rep. Mark Takano (CA-39), Ranking Member, House Veterans' Affairs Committee

"Taking care of our veterans should be unanimous, and correcting the gross injustice faced by thousands of combat-injured veterans who are seeing their benefits drastically reduced should be simple. We are fighting relentlessly to get the bipartisan Major Richard Star Act brought to the floor for a vote and to deliver this win to veterans in New Hampshire and across the country. I joined my colleagues, veterans, and veterans service organizations today to say it loud and clear: We will use every tool possible to ensure our nation's heroes receive the full benefits they earned, and we will not give up."- Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-1)

"Retirement pay reflects years of service. Disability compensation reflects injury. These benefits serve different purposes and should not cancel one another. Combat-injured retirees fulfilled their obligations to this nation. Congress now has the opportunity to fulfill its obligation to them."- Dr. Jerry Turner, U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, Beaumont, California

Background

The Major Richard Star Act (H.R. 2102) was introduced on March 14, 2025, by Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) and Rep. Raul Ruiz (CA-25) with 185 original cosponsors. It has since grown to more than 330 cosponsors - a sweeping bipartisan majority of the House.

The legislation eliminates the dollar-for-dollar offset against retired pay for Chapter 61 disability retirees with combat-related disabilities. It is endorsed by all leading Veteran Service Organizations throughout the country.

The bill is named in honor of Major Richard A. Star - a father, husband, and decorated Army combat veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Medically retired due to his combat-related injuries, Major Star was later diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer. Before he lost his battle on February 13, 2021, he made his wife Tonya promise to continue fighting alongside Members of Congress to get this bill passed and help the more than 50,000 families who would benefit from it. This legislation is a tribute to his courage and his enduring commitment to his fellow veterans.