MOAA’s work to end an unjust pay offset faced by tens of thousands of combat-injured veterans continued April 2, with the association signing onto a letter alongside 52 fellow military and veterans service organizations – including the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, AMVETS, and the Wounded Warrior Project – to every member of the 119th Congress seeking their support for the Major Richard Star Act.

[READ THE LETTER | WRITE YOUR LAWMAKERS]

The coalition explained the legislation’s importance and requested its inclusion in the FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) or passage as a standalone bill. This outreach is critical to maintain positive momentum and build upon the strong foundation of support secured in prior years.

Approximately 51,000 veterans are subject to a decrement in which DoD-issued retirement pay is reduced for every dollar of VA disability received. However, as articulated in the letter, “These two benefits, established by Congress for entirely different reasons, are nonetheless subject to a statutory offset. To reduce earned retirement pay because of a combat disability is an injustice and not the place to achieve savings.”

Less than a month since its reintroduction in both chambers, the legislation has reestablished growing and bipartisan support from across the political spectrum. As of April 8, the bill counted 236 members of the House of Representatives and 55 senators among its sponsors. 

[MOAA WEBINAR RECORDING: Understanding Concurrent Receipt]

There is more to be done, however, and MOAA will continue to work with fellow military and veterans groups to get this legislation across the finish line.

We will continue our outreach to congressional offices in both chambers to dispel misconceptions and advocate on behalf of combat-injured veterans. We also need the support and sustained engagement of our members to help champion this bill; with your assistance, we can help ensure lawmakers correct this injustice and honor our nation’s commitment to combat-injured veterans.

Reach out to your lawmakers and encourage them to support combat-injured veterans, and visit the Legislative Action Center to keep track of all MOAA’s legislative priorities.

Congress will be in recess April 14-25, providing an opportunity to visit lawmakers in your districts. You can follow the link to learn more about MOAA’s other key advocacy initiatives, including the legislative topics making up our signature spring advocacy event, Advocacy in Action.