In today's polarized political climate, it's extraordinary to see members of Congress find common ground on anything. So it’s disheartening when a plan supported by more than 75% of lawmakers that would undo a longtime injustice faced by combat-injured veterans could go without a floor vote for the second straight year.

[TAKE ACTION: Ask Your Senators to Support the Major Richard Star Act] 

This procedural decision could derail the progress made by the wildly popular Major Richard Star Act, a bill supported by 74 senators and 327 House members (counting original sponsors) including the speaker of the House and the Senate majority leader. The bill corrects an oversight from the 2004 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which docks the retirement pay of combat-injured veterans to save money in the DoD personnel account.

This updated information paper answers all the questions about the bill except the one you should ask your senators, and their staffers, as they campaign in their home states this month: Does it sound right to you that we are saving money in the DoD personnel account on the backs of our combat-injured veterans? 

What Can We Do?

It is an election year, and members of Congress want your vote. This makes your voice as a voter important on the campaign trail.

Be sure to attend town halls and rallies. Ask your senators not only to support the Major Richard Star Act, but to allow for a vote on the act to be included as an amendment to the FY 2025 NDAA. Ask your House members to support the Star Act in any way they can as the final NDAA takes shape.

[RELATED: Wounded Warriors Meet With Legislators, Seek Senate Action on Star Act]

In addition to attending these events, please activate your network and take these actions:

• Visit MOAA.org/StarAct and send our updated message to your senators. It’s a two-part request: Support our efforts to ensure the Star Act amendment receives a floor vote, and vote in favor of the amendment once it reaches the floor. As we’ve seen in the House NDAA proceedings, prior support and/or sponsorship for the bill does not always translate into meaningful action – this election year, constituents need to send a message to their senators that words aren’t enough.
  
  
• Reach out to your senators’ offices via MOAA's toll-free line to the U.S. Capitol switchboard – 866-272-MOAA (6622). Ask to speak with the military legislative assistant. Use these talking points, or refer to MOAA’s Star Act issue paper for additional materials.
  
  
• Share all of the above materials with your personal and professional networks – you don’t need to be a MOAA member to send messages through the Legislative Action Center or to use our switchboard.

Good luck this campaign season. Your voice matters more than ever, and our servicemembers need your advocacy; learn more about other parts of MOAA's Advocacy in Action Summer Campaign at this link.