Rep. Sykes Votes to Secure Benefits for Disabled Veterans

Rep. Sykes Votes to Secure Benefits for Disabled Veterans

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) voted to pass the Major Richard Star Act (H.R. 2102), a bipartisan bill which will provide qualifying combat-disabled veterans full veterans' disability compensation and retirement pay.

Prior to this legislation, veterans forced into retirement before completing 20 years of service due to a disabling injury were unable to receive both U.S. Department of Defense retirement benefits and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation without facing a penalty. Now, this bill will allow qualified veterans to receive an estimated $1,200 in benefits every month.

"The Major Richard Star Act is long overdue. This bill recognizes the great sacrifice made by our veterans and provides financial assistance to America's 59,000 medically retired veterans who have served our nation with honor," said Rep. Sykes.

Congresswoman Sykes is one of 342 cosponsors on this bill, and earlier this year, she signed onto a discharge petition to force a vote on this measure on the House floor.

The legislation passed the House and now moves to the Senate for consideration.