On Aug. 26, 2021, a suicide bomber killed 13 servicemembers and wounded 45 more at Hamid Karzai International Airport’s Abbey Gate during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

As we remember that tragedy and the bravery displayed by servicemembers during the evacuation – and as we see reports of more recent U.S. casualties amid ongoing global threats –  we must reflect on how we support our combat-injured veterans. 

Conflicts around the world may escalate. With more servicemembers in harm’s way, lawmakers must show their commitment to provide all who serve and have served with what they’ve earned. And that means it’s time to stop docking the retired pay of our combat-injured veterans to save money in the DoD personnel account.

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

More than 75% of House and Senate members support the Major Richard Star Act, which would correct this injustice. Arguments in support of the bill are well known and have been circulated by MOAA and fellow advocacy groups for years; a recent opinion piece by MOAA board member Rear Adm. Tom Jurkowsky, USN (Ret), in The Washington Times lays out several of the key talking points.

The challenge is to make sure the bill gets a vote in the Senate for inclusion in the must-pass FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) … and that will not happen unless voters engage members of Congress at town halls and rallies across the country. 

It is convenient for some lawmakers to publicly support and co-sponsor the Star Act when they know their leadership will avoid a floor vote. It highlights what Jurkowsky calls the “say-do gap.”

“How does a piece of legislation fail that has gained so many in Congress who ‘say’ they support the bill when it is proposed but who fail to raise their hand, vote yes and ‘do’?” Jurkowsky writes in the piece.

[RELATED: Tonya Star, Widow of Maj. Richard Star, Dies at 51]

Politicians know the difference between an advocate and a voter. They pay closer attention to voters. Even when wounded warriors visit a lawmaker’s office, the first question is typically: “Are you from the state or district?” Without a demand signal from their prospective voters, lawmakers lose interest.

What’s Next

Senate leaders have already hinted that they wish to avoid any debate or amendment votes on the NDAA, including one on the Star Act, unless you change their mind.

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

Your voice has a larger impact this election year. This is a great time to get to know your members of Congress and meet them on the campaign trail. Face-to-face meetings build relationships and remain the most effective form of advocacy.

Contact your senators this week. They are in position to make a difference and prevent a procedural dodge that avoids an NDAA amendment vote on the Star Act.

In addition to personally making contact, 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 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 call our switchboard.

[RELATED: Advocacy in Action Summer Campaign]

Your voice matters more than ever. Our servicemembers need your advocacy today.