Senator Ashley Moody has joined a bipartisan coalition in the U.S. Senate to cosponsor the Major Richard Star Act, legislation that would guarantee combat-injured military retirees receive the full benefits they have earned. Senator Moody joins Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Rick Scott (R-FL) in supporting the measure.
Currently, more than 50,000 combat-injured veterans are denied concurrent receipt of full retirement pay from the Department of Defense (DOD) and disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) due to existing eligibility requirements. The Major Richard Star Act would remove this barrier and restore full benefits to these veterans, regardless of their length of service.
“The brave men and women who were injured in combat to protect this great country deserve the full benefits that they rightfully earned,” said Senator Moody. “Today, I am proud to stand with this bipartisan group of colleagues as a cosponsor of the Major Richard Star Act. Florida is the most veteran-friendly state in the nation, and this common-sense bill is another way we can show our thanks for keeping our nation safe.”
Named in honor of Major Richard A. Star, a decorated war veteran who was medically retired due to combat-related injuries and later passed away from cancer in 2021, the bill has gained widespread bipartisan momentum. In the Senate, it now has 74 cosponsors. In the House of Representatives, companion legislation introduced by Reps. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Raul Ruiz (D-CA) has earned support from 280 bipartisan members.
“I am a proud veteran and the son of a World War II veteran, and I have immense respect for anyone who puts on the uniform to defend our nation,” said Senator Rick Scott. “The Major Richard Star Act ensures our veterans receive the full benefits they’ve earned through their service and sacrifice. This legislation makes a critical change to treat our veterans fairly and support our nation’s heroes.”
The bill is supported by over 50 national military and veterans service organizations, including the Wounded Warrior Project, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), American Legion, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), and Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), among many others.
The Major Richard Star Act represents a critical step forward in fulfilling the nation’s promise to its combat-injured veterans by correcting an outdated policy and providing the benefits they have earned through their selfless service.
