Republicans are Blocking Benefits for Combat-Injured Veterans

Last week, I spoke on the Senate Floor calling again for a vote on the Major Richard Star Act, legislation to provide combat-injured veterans with the benefits they have rightfully earned and deserve—and once again, Republicans blocked my request, denying benefits for our nation’s heroes.

Right now, combat-injured veterans are docked dollar-for-dollar from their military retirement pay for any VA disability benefits—including at least 400 servicemen and women who have been injured in Trump’s war of choice in Iran. Simply put, this sacrifice is wrong. It’s morally wrong. It’s legally wrong. It’s politically wrong. It’s an injustice against our veterans.

I have asked for a vote on the Floor of the United States Senate eight times now—a simple vote on the Major Richard Star Act, to give veterans their full benefits. And every time, Republicans have blocked my attempts.

I spoke on the Senate Floor calling for Unanimous Consent to pass the Major Richard Star Act—an attempt Republicans blocked yet again. You can watch a video of my remarks here.

My Republican colleagues are saying there needs to be a reduction in some other program—commonly known as an offset—to pay for the Major Richard Star Act. In fact, they are proposing to fund the Major Richard Star Act by slashing benefits for other disabled veterans—devastating cuts for veterans currently eligible to receive disability benefits for tinnitus and sleep apnea.

Making sure combat-injured veterans receive the full benefits they deserve should not require robbing fellow veterans of benefits they’ve earned—which is what this Republican proposal would do.

The whole idea of an offset or “pay for” is absurd and unfair. The cost of war includes the cost of caring for our veterans. We make that investment when we send them to war. We make a promise to care for them when they return home. A great nation keeps its promises.

I strongly believe there should be no need for an offset for this bill, but I’m willing to compromise with my Republican colleagues. At their insistence, I’ve found an offset. I recently proposed using $13 billion in unspent and unobligated Department of Defense funds—and Republicans still blocked my proposal, refusing to do right by our nation’s veterans.

The Major Richard Star Act has overwhelming bipartisan support—including 79 cosponsors in the Senate, 334 cosponsors in the House, and support from Secretary Hegseth himself. In fact, Secretary Hegseth said very simply, “We support the Richard Star Act.”

Despite all this overwhelming support, Senate Republicans continue to block my legislation.

I am just totally unwilling to accept that the VA and veterans should pay for a program that the Department of Defense has a responsibility to implement. And I’m angry that I’ve been blocked again and again and again in asking for a simple vote on the Major Richard Star Act. If we have a vote, this legislation will pass.

Our veteran community—and all of us—know better. Veterans are entitled to both disability benefits and retirement pay. They’ve earned them. It’s not an act of generosity or charity that we would correct this injustice.

Veterans deserve action. The Major Richard Star Act is long-overdue. No more excuses, no more meaningless rhetoric or continued cowardice. I won’t stop fighting until we pass the Major Richard Star Act without slashing benefits for fellow veterans.

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