SENATE RESOLUTION URGING THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES TO ENACT THE MAJOR RICHARD STAR ACT

Rhode Island Senate Resolution: Support for the Major Richard Star Act

This is a resolution from the Rhode Island State Senate urging the United States Congress to pass a federal law called the Major Richard Star Act. Unlike a regular bill that creates new state law, this is a formal statement of support — Rhode Island's Senate is essentially sending a message to federal lawmakers asking them to act on this issue.

The Major Richard Star Act addresses a financial situation affecting certain military veterans who are both medically retired from the military and eligible for VA disability benefits. Currently, many of these veterans cannot receive their full military retirement pay *and* their full VA disability compensation at the same time — they must choose one or have one reduced. The Major Richard Star Act, if passed by Congress, would allow combat-injured veterans who were medically retired to receive both forms of pay without that reduction.

This resolution primarily affects combat-disabled military retirees — veterans who were forced to leave military service due to injuries sustained in combat and who also qualify for VA disability benefits. For many of these individuals, the current rules mean they effectively lose a portion of pay they feel they earned through their service and sacrifice.

Currently, this resolution has been referred to the Rhode Island Senate's Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs Committee, where it is being held for further study. If passed, it would not change any Rhode Island law directly, but would formally communicate Rhode Island's support for the federal legislation to members of Congress.