Pappas Continues Fight to Force Vote on Major Richard Star Act, Correct Injustice for Veterans

Image June 5, 2026 Press Release Pappas, colleagues, and Veterans’ Service Organizations held a press conference on the bill’s discharge petition which is at 203 signatures, needs 15 more to force a vote Yesterday Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee (HVAC) and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, joined Ranking Member Takano (CA-39), Congressman Raul Ruiz (CA-25), along with Major Richard Star's brother, David Star and Veterans’ Service Organizations for a bipartisan press conference on the Major Richard Star Act discharge petition. The House is currently collecting signatures on the discharge petition to force a vote on the House floor. WATCH HIS REMARKS HERE. Pappas was the third member to sign a discharge petition for the Major Richard Star Act , which is now at 203 signers. This bipartisan legislation currently has 330 cosponsors and would end the “wounded veteran tax”, or the offset that keeps medically retired veterans from receiving their full Department of Defense retirement pay and their full Veterans Affairs disability pay. “Taking care of our veterans should be unanimous, and correcting the gross injustice faced by thousands of combat-injured veterans who are seeing their benefits drastically reduced should be simple. We’re fighting relentlessly to get the bipartisan Major Richard Star Act brought to the floor for a vote and to deliver this win to veterans in New Hampshire and across the country,” said Congressman Chris Pappas. “I joined my colleagues, veterans, and veterans’ service organizations to say it loud and clear: We will use every tool possible to ensure our nation’s heroes receive the full benefits they earned and we will not give up.” "Despite fulfilling their commitment and fighting for our protection, fifty-nine thousand medically retired veterans who were injured in combat are losing their benefits," said Ranking Member Mark Takano. "Veterans have waited years for Congress to step up. The time is now. That's why I filed a discharge petition with Congressman Ruiz to finally force a vote on the House floor. No more delays. No more excuses." "It is an outrage that our wounded warriors are experiencing a gross injustice. Veterans who were forced to medically retire are penalized and unable to receive both their disability and retirement benefits. The Major Richard Star Act is the solution. The discharge petition will force a vote and with 330 cosponsors it will pass. Our veterans can’t wait, sign the petition now,” said Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D., Lead Democratic Author of the Major Richard Star Act. A number of Veteran Service Organizations participated in the event. Retired U.S. Army Sergeant Neil Duncan represented Wounded Warrior Project. As a paratrooper, he deployed several times to combat zones. On one of those deployments to Afghanistan, an improvised explosive device detonated under his truck, leading him to lose both of his legs and sustained numerous injuries. He spoke of his personal connection to the Major Richard Act saying, “I kept my promise. I served. I sacrificed like many. And I’m asking Congress today to pass the Richard Star Act. I’m here representing myself, but also 59,000 other folks that would be impacted by this bill that are similar situations as I am. The Major Richard Star Act would fix this injustice.” Jon Retzer, National Legislative Director for Disabled American Veterans, expressed his organization’s frustration that the Congressional Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) rule has caused delay in getting the Major Richard Star Act to the House floor for a vote saying, “Let me be clear. A grateful nation should never try to balance its budget on the backs of the men and women who served this nation... We are here to support the discharge petition... it would waive PAYGO so that the House doesn’t have to cut veterans’ benefits in order to pass the Star Act.” Jess Finucan, Director of Policy and Advocacy at Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, called on Major Richard Star Act cosigners to sign the discharge petition, saying, “To say this bill has overwhelming support would be an understatement, yet here we are. At some point, support on paper stops being enough. Co-sponsoring a bill is easy. Taking action moving forward is what matters... Today is the perfect opportunity to turn words into action by signing the discharge petition and bringing the bill to the House floor.” Michael Fimmano, Chief Legislative Officer for Vietnam Veterans of America, spoke to the importance of following through on the commitments we make to our veterans in return for their service, saying, “We are here because we seek a level of fairness and have not forgotten our sacred promise to all generations. Never again does indeed mean never again.” Jen Goodale, Director of Government Relations for the Military Officers Association of America, spoke of the overwhelming support the Major Richard Star Act has received, saying, “Congress has united behind this legislation. Military veteran advocacy organizations have united behind this legislation. Grassroots supporters of all stripes, veterans, caregivers, families, spouses, and even concerned citizens have united behind this legislation. All for one simple reason. It corrects an injustice impacting the lives of tens of thousands of wounded warriors. These veterans deserve action.” David Star, Retired Army First Sergeant and brother of the late Major Richard Star, represented the Veterans Justice Alliance at the press conference. He spoke of his brother’s legacy and the need to make progress for our nation’s wounded warriors. The Major Richard Star Act is supported by Wounded Warrior Project, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans Justice Alliance,Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Military Officers Association of America, Vietnam Veterans of America, Reserve Organization of America, National Guard Association of the United States, Blue Star Families, Fleet Reserve Association, Jewish War Veterans, Elizabeth Dole Foundation, Team Rubicon, Student Veterans of America, Blinded Veterans Association, Non Commissioned Officers Association, Military Family Association, Air Force Sergeants Association, Association of the U.S. Army, U.S. Army Warrant Officers Association, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, National Defense Committee, Mission Roll Call, and a number of other Veterans Service and Advocacy Organizations. The full recording of the press conference can be found here . Pappas has been a cosponsor of the Major Richard Star Act every Congress since being elected in 2019.