Major Star Act News 2026

Montgomery, Alabama | Jan 1, 2026 -
1,482 Combat Injured Alabama Veterans Lose $1.7 Million Monthly as Major Star Act Stalls in U.S. Senate
https://www.issuewire.com/1482-combat-injured-alabama-veterans-lose-17-million-monthly-as-major-star-act-stalls-in-us-senate-1852864483070155
Alabama combat injured, medically retired retirees lose about $1.7784 million per month because the Major Richard Star Act fix has not moved and the Chapter 61 retirement offset remains in force. The offset compels veterans to waive earned DoD retired pay to receive VA disability compensation, routinely reducing Military Retirement Pay to zero for eligible combat injured retirees.
Senator Tommy Tuberville and Senator Katie Britt can force action by supporting S.Amdt 4056 and pushing the Major Richard Star Act through defense funding where Senate Armed Services Committee pressure matters most. Senator Roger Wicker is the procedural choke point, and the path forward is a recorded vote through Senate Republicans and appropriations leadership.

Phoenix, Arizona | Jan 1, 2026 - 

1,174 Combat Injured Arizona Veterans Lose $1.4 Million Monthly as Major Star Act Stalls in U.S. Senate

https://www.issuewire.com/1174-combat-injured-arizona-veterans-lose-14-million-monthly-as-major-star-act-stalls-in-us-senate-1852862259341382

Arizona’s 1,174 combat injured, medically retired retirees lose about $1.4088 million monthly because the Chapter 61 retirement offset still strips earned Military Retirement Pay when VA disability compensation is awarded. The Major Richard Star Act restores the earned retirement for this defined population and ends the forced waiver that turns retirement into a penalty.

Senators Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly can move this by supporting S.Amdt 4056 and forcing Major Richard Star Act language through the defense appropriations route inside the NDAA 2026 cycle. Senator Roger Wicker remains the central obstacle, and the fix is a public vote that ends procedural hiding.

San Diego, California | Jan 1, 2026 - 

California Loses $37.3 Million Annually as Senate Inaction Leaves Combat Injured Veterans Without Earned Retirement

https://www.issuewire.com/california-loses-373-million-annually-as-senate-inaction-leaves-combat-injured-veterans-without-earned-retirement-1852283673201790

California loses about $37.3 million annually because 2,591 combat injured, medically retired retirees are still hit by the Chapter 61 retirement offset. The Major Richard Star Act fixes this by restoring earned military retirement pay that is reduced dollar for dollar by VA disability compensation, stopping the forced waiver that can drive Military Retirement Pay to zero for eligible retirees.

Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff are the decision makers for California and S.Amdt. 4056 is the path forward to carry the Major Richard Star Act through must pass defense funding. The blockade is tied to Senator Roger Wicker, and the solution is to force an on the record vote through Senate Republicans, Senate Armed Services Committee pressure, and the appropriations route.

Colorado Springs, Colorado | Jan 1, 2026 -
1,696 Combat Injured Colorado Veterans Lose $2.03 Million Monthly as Major Star Act Stalls in U.S. Senate
https://www.issuewire.com/1696-combat-injured-colorado-veterans-lose-203-million-monthly-as-major-star-act-stalls-in-us-senate-1852857693611205
Colorado loses about $2.03 million monthly and about $24.4 million annually because 1,696 combat injured, medically retired retirees remain under the Chapter 61 retirement offset that strips earned Military Retirement Pay. The Major Richard Star Act restores earned retirement pay and ends the forced waiver tied to VA disability compensation.
Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper can move this by backing S.Amdt 4056 and forcing Major Richard Star Act language through defense appropriations in the NDAA 2026 cycle. Senator Roger Wicker is the procedural bottleneck, and a recorded vote ends the stall.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Washington, D.C, District of Columbia | Jan 1, 2026
54K Veterans Anticipates Major Richard Star Act Victory: The Path Forward is S.Amdt. 4056
https://www.issuewire.com/54k-veterans-anticipates-major-richard-star-act-victory-the-path-forward-is-samdt-4056-1852998195212412
The path to victory runs through S.Amdt 4056 to H.R. 4016, using defense appropriations to force a recorded vote and restore earned Military Retirement Pay to 54,000 combat injured, medically retired retirees. The appropriations strategy ends the ability to block quietly and moves the Major Richard Star Act through a must pass vehicle.
National veteran organizations including VFW, American Legion, DAV, WWP, and MOAA amplify the pressure, and Susan Collins is the appropriations leader positioned to secure the path forward. Senator Roger Wicker is the procedural choke point, and Senate Republicans can end the stall by advancing S.Amdt 4056.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Washington, D.C, District of Columbia | Jan 1, 2026
Retired Navy Senior Chief Questions Senate Silence After Major Star Act Stalls Despite Broad Support
https://www.issuewire.com/retired-navy-senior-chief-questions-senate-silence-after-major-star-act-stalls-despite-broad-support-1852265677745668
The Major Richard Star Act had broad support and still stalled after a single objection prevented passage by unanimous consent, leaving no recorded vote. The Chapter 61 retirement offset continues to strip earned Military Retirement Pay from combat injured, medically retired retirees when VA disability compensation is awarded, often driving retirement pay to zero.
S.Amdt 4056 is the enforcement tool that forces a recorded decision by attaching Major Richard Star Act language to defense appropriations. Senator Roger Wicker is the obstacle, and Senate leadership and the Senate Armed Services Committee can end the stall by allowing the amendment route to move.

Jacksonville, Florida | Jan 1, 2026 -
Florida Vets Lose $58.72M Yearly as 54K Veterans Urges Action for 4,078 Combat Injured Retirees
https://www.issuewire.com/florida-vets-lose-5872m-yearly-as-54k-veterans-urges-action-for-4078-combat-injured-retirees-1852282778490765
Florida loses about $58.7232 million annually because 4,078 combat injured, medically retired retirees remain under the Chapter 61 retirement offset that strips earned Military Retirement Pay. The Major Richard Star Act restores earned retirement pay and ends the forced waiver tied to VA disability compensation.
Senators Rick Scott and Ashley Moody can push the fix by supporting S.Amdt 4056 and forcing Major Richard Star Act language through must pass defense appropriations in the NDAA 2026 cycle. Senator Roger Wicker is the procedural block, and a recorded vote ends the stall.

Atlanta, Georgia | Jan 1, 2026 - 

Georgia Loses $36.6 Million Annually as Senate Inaction Impacts Combat Injured Veterans

https://www.issuewire.com/georgia-loses-366-million-annually-as-senate-inaction-impacts-combat-injured-veterans-1852284760591045

Georgia loses about $36.576 million annually because 2,540 combat injured, medically retired retirees remain under the Chapter 61 retirement offset and lose earned Military Retirement Pay. The Major Richard Star Act ends the forced waiver by restoring retirement pay for the defined combat injured medical retiree population.

Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock can break the impasse by backing S.Amdt 4056 and moving Major Richard Star Act language through must pass defense funding tied to NDAA 2026. Senator Roger Wicker is the obstacle, and the vote becomes inevitable when appropriations and Senate Armed Services Committee pressure is applied.

Portland, Maine | Jan 1, 2026 -
Advocates Call on Appropriations Chair Collins to Secure Vote for Combat Injured Veterans, Break Senate Gridlock
https://www.issuewire.com/advocates-call-on-appropriations-chair-collins-to-secure-vote-for-combat-injured-veterans-break-senate-gridlock-1852286788384754
Susan Collins holds the leverage to force a vote on the Major Richard Star Act by moving S.Amdt 4056 through the Defense Appropriations Act process and breaking the gridlock created by a Senate objection. The amendment route turns a quiet block into an on the record decision and creates a clear path to restore earned Military Retirement Pay for combat injured, medically retired retirees.
Maine’s delegation already includes support from Senator Angus King, and the appropriations strategy is the direct answer to the current Senate procedural blockade. Senator Roger Wicker remains the bottleneck, and Senate Republicans can end the stall by allowing S.Amdt 4056 to advance.

Detroit, Michigan | Jan 1, 2026
1,162 Combat Injured Michigan Veterans Lose an Estimated $1.4 Million Monthly as Major Star Act Stalls in U.S. Senate
https://www.issuewire.com/1162-combat-injured-michigan-veterans-lose-an-estimated-14-million-monthly-as-major-star-act-stalls-in-us-senate-1852862955119727
Michigan loses an estimated $1.3944 million monthly because 1,162 combat injured, medically retired retirees are still hit by the Chapter 61 retirement offset that strips earned Military Retirement Pay. The Major Richard Star Act restores the earned retirement for this defined population and ends the forced waiver tied to VA disability compensation.
Senators Elissa Slotkin and Gary Peters can move this by backing S.Amdt 4056 and forcing Major Richard Star Act language through defense appropriations and the NDAA 2026 track. Senator Roger Wicker is the bottleneck, and a recorded vote is the mechanism that ends the blockage.

Raleigh, North Carolina | Jan 1, 2026 -  
Veterans Urge Senators Tillis and Budd to Secure $42.5M for NC Economy, Override Stalled Pension Fix
https://www.issuewire.com/veterans-urge-senators-tillis-and-budd-to-secure-425m-for-nc-economy-override-stalled-pension-fix-1852849305545447
North Carolina loses about $42.5 million annually because 2,957 combat injured, medically retired retirees are still forced into the Chapter 61 retirement offset. The Major Richard Star Act restores earned Military Retirement Pay and ends the forced waiver that reduces retirement pay when VA disability compensation is received.
Senator Thom Tillis and Senator Ted Budd can drive the solution by supporting S.Amdt 4056 and forcing the Major Richard Star Act through defense appropriations and the NDAA 2026 timeline. Senator Roger Wicker is the bottleneck, and the fix is a recorded vote that removes the ability to block quietly.

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania | Jan 1, 2026

1,239 Combat Injured Pennsylvania Veterans Lose $1.4 Million Monthly as Major Star Act Stalls in U.S. Senate

https://www.issuewire.com/1239-combat-injured-pennsylvania-veterans-lose-14-million-monthly-as-major-star-act-stalls-in-us-senate-1852861306948877

Pennsylvania combat injured, medically retired retirees lose about $1.4868 million per month in earned Military Retirement Pay because the Major Richard Star Act is blocked. The Chapter 61 retirement offset forces a dollar for dollar waiver of DoD retired pay to receive VA disability compensation, turning earned retirement into a monthly penalty that hits household budgets every week.

Senators Dave McCormick and John Fetterman can break this by backing S.Amdt 4056 and forcing the Major Richard Star Act through the defense appropriations pathway tied to NDAA 2026. Senator Roger Wicker is the central obstacle, and the remedy is a recorded vote that removes the ability to hide behind procedure.

Nashville, Tennessee | Jan 1, 2026

Tennessee Advocates Urge Senate Action For 1,762 Combat Injured Veterans

https://www.issuewire.com/tennessee-advocates-urge-senate-action-for-1762-combat-injured-veterans-1852287413347770

Tennessee loses about $25.3728 million per year because 1,762 combat injured, medically retired retirees remain stuck under the Chapter 61 retirement offset. The Major Richard Star Act fixes the offset by restoring earned DoD retired pay that is currently waived dollar for dollar to receive VA disability compensation.

Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty can finish this by backing S.Amdt 4056 and forcing Major Richard Star Act language into must pass defense funding tied to NDAA 2026. Senator Roger Wicker is the roadblock, and the route is an on the record vote through Senate Republicans and appropriations leverage.

Dallas, Texas | Jan 1, 2026
7,213 Combat Injured Texas Veterans Lose $8.6 Million Monthly as Major Star Act Stalls in U.S. Senate
https://www.issuewire.com/7213-combat-injured-texas-veterans-lose-86-million-monthly-as-major-star-act-stalls-in-us-senate-1852850366957850
Texas loses about $8.65 million monthly and about $103.8 million annually because 7,213 combat injured, medically retired retirees are still forced into the Chapter 61 retirement offset. The Major Richard Star Act restores earned Military Retirement Pay and ends the forced waiver that makes retirement pay disappear when VA disability compensation is received.
Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn can force action by supporting S.Amdt 4056 and moving the Major Richard Star Act through defense appropriations connected to H.R. 4016 and the NDAA 2026 cycle. Senator Roger Wicker is the block, and the fix is a recorded vote that ends procedural games.

Washington, D.C, District of Columbia | Jan 1, 2026 -
54K Veterans Anticipates Major Richard Star Act Victory: The Path Forward is S.Amdt. 4056
https://www.issuewire.com/54k-veterans-anticipates-major-richard-star-act-victory-the-path-forward-is-samdt-4056-1852998195212412
The Major Richard Star Act victory path is S.Amdt. 4056, the active legislative vehicle positioned to restore earned retirement pay for 54,000 combat injured medical retirees. This strategy shifts the fight to the US Senate appropriations track, where Senator Susan Collins can secure the amendment to H.R. 4016 and remove the Chapter 61 offset. With VFW, American Legion, DAV, and wounded Warrior Project aligned behind the fix, the legislative question is no longer whether the policy is justified, it is whether leadership executes the win.
S.Amdt. 4056 forces a real decision instead of more delay, putting senate republicans on record and tightening the pressure points around Senator Wicker and Senator Thune. With Senator Blumenthal filing the amendment and the coalition pushing a Manager’s Package approach, the Major Richard Star Act becomes the test case for whether the US Senate will treat combat injured retirees like a priority or let procedure bury a bipartisan solution

Washington, D.C, District of Columbia | Jan 1, 2026 - 

Retired Navy Senior Chief Questions Senate Silence After Major Star Act Stalls Despite Broad Support 

https://www.issuewire.com/retired-navy-senior-chief-questions-senate-silence-after-major-star-act-stalls-despite-broad-support-1852265677745668

The Major Richard Star Act has overwhelming cosponsor support and still stalled because Senate Rules allow a single objection to block unanimous consent and erase a recorded vote. Combat Injured Veterans medically retired under Chapter 61 keep losing earned retirement because VA Disability replaces, rather than supplements, retired pay under the current offset. This is the core injustice S.Amdt. 4056 is designed to fix by attaching the Major Richard Star Act to a must pass defense funding vehicle.

S.Amdt. 4056 turns Senate silence into accountability, forcing Senate Republicans and the Senate Armed Services Committee pathway to confront the issue publicly. Senator Wicker is the procedural choke point, and Senator Thune is a leadership pressure point, which is why the amendment strategy is built to compel a vote and end the quiet stall.  

Washington, D.C, District of Columbia | Jan 1, 2026

Veterans Groups Unite Behind Major Richard Star Act, Urge Senate Action

https://www.issuewire.com/veterans-groups-unite-behind-major-richard-star-act-urge-senate-action-1852265118429722

The Major Richard Star Act is the unified ask from VFW, DAV, and American Legion because it delivers a narrow, targeted fix for combat injured medical retirees harmed by the Chapter 61 retirement offset. The policy is simple and already consistent with how concurrent receipt works for retirees who reach 20 years, the only barrier is Senate action. That is why S.Amdt. 4056 is positioned as the clean path forward to restore earned retirement pay and end the offset without expanding eligibility or creating a new entitlement.

S.Amdt. 4056 bypasses the stall created by Senator Wicker and pushes the decision into the open, where Senate Republicans and committee leadership can no longer hide behind timing. With Senator Collins holding appropriations leverage and the Senate Armed Services Committee in the legislative orbit, the Major Richard Star Act becomes a test of whether the Senate will follow veteran consensus or keep delaying a fix endorsed by the largest veteran organizations.

Tupelo, Mississippi | Jan 1, 2026 - 

Advocates Question Why Combat Injured Veterans’ Retirement Is Deemed Unaffordable Amid Billions in Federal Spending

https://www.issuewire.com/advocates-question-why-combat-injured-veterans-retirement-is-deemed-unaffordable-amid-billions-in-federal-spending-1852266277261019

Mississippi Veterans and the broader veteran community are being told the Major Richard Star Act is too expensive, even as Congress funds major initiatives elsewhere, turning National Debt and Fiscal Responsibility into selective talking points. The reality is straightforward: the Chapter 61 offset strips earned retirement from combat injured medical retirees, and S.Amdt. 4056 is the active tool that restores that earned pay through a must pass vehicle. This is not a benefit expansion, it is a correction to a policy that zeroes out retirement for wounded retirees.

S.Amdt. 4056 pushes the decision into the Senate Armed Services Committee power lane and onto the floor where Senate Republicans must act, not posture. Senator Wicker is the central obstacle named in the debate, Senator Thune and Senator Collins are pivotal leadership nodes, and the affordability argument collapses when the same Senate refuses to schedule an on the record vote on a fix supported across the veteran community.

Tupelo, Mississippi | Jan 1, 2026

54K Veterans Highlight Senator Wicker’s Reversal on Major Star Act 

https://www.issuewire.com/54k-veterans-highlight-senator-wickers-reversal-on-major-star-act-1852267153740497

The Major Richard Star Act moved from momentum to obstruction when Senator Wicker became the Mississippi Senator blocking progress, despite years of public support signals. The real world impact is Military Retirement Pay lost by combat injured medical retirees whose earned retirement is reduced by the Chapter 61 offset, a policy that treats disability compensation as a replacement instead of a separate earned benefit. This is why the story is anchored in Tupelo Mississippi, tying national policy consequences to local accountability.

S.Amdt. 4056 is the escape hatch from procedural games, forcing the Major Richard Star Act into a must pass lane where Senate Republicans and Senator Thune cannot avoid a recorded position. With the Senate Armed Services Committee leadership context and the public spotlight on Senator Wicker, the amendment path turns a quiet block into a public vote, which is the only outcome that ends the stall and restores earned retirement pay.

Columbus, Ohio | Jan 1, 2026 -
Advocates Urge Senators Moreno and Husted to Support $20.4M Relief for Ohio Veterans, Honor Major Richard Star’s Legacy
https://www.issuewire.com/advocates-urge-senators-moreno-and-husted-to-support-204m-relief-for-ohio-veterans-honor-major-richard-stars-legacy-1852860005293070
Ohio Veterans are positioned at the center of the Major Richard Star Act story because honoring Major Richard Star’s legacy means fixing the retirement offset that punishes combat injured medical retirees. S.Amdt 4056 is the mechanism to attach the fix to the NDAA 2026 legislative runway, pushing the issue into a must pass decision cycle. The core outcome is restoring earned retirement pay that is stripped under Chapter 61, keeping faith with the very veterans Congress routinely praises.
Bernie Moreno and Jon Husted are the Ohio names tied to the action demand, and Senator Wicker is the national obstacle whose procedural tactics keep the problem alive. With Senator Thune, Senate Republicans, and the Senate Armed Services Committee in the pressure chain, S.Amdt 4056 becomes the lever that forces a vote and ends the ability to stall the Major Richard Star Act behind closed doors. 

Broken Arrow, Oklahoma | Jan 1, 2026 -
951 Combat Injured Oklahoma Veterans Lose $1.1 Million Monthly as Major Star Act Stalls in U.S. Senate
https://www.issuewire.com/951-combat-injured-oklahoma-veterans-lose-11-million-monthly-as-major-star-act-stalls-in-us-senate-1852855900101383
Oklahoma veterans affected by the Major Richard Star Act are losing earned retirement because the Chapter 61 offset keeps replacing retired pay with disability compensation, even for combat injured medical retirees. The Oklahoma focus names Senator Mullin and Markwayne Mullin as the key decision maker, while the legislative conversation highlights S. Amdt 4055 as part of the active amendment strategy being pushed during the NDAA 2026 environment. The outcome is simple: restore earned retirement pay and stop treating disability compensation as a substitute for retirement.
The stall persists because Senate Armed Services Committee power and Senate Republicans leadership allow the objection path to continue, with Senator Thune and Senator wicker cited as critical pressure points. Oklahoma veterans remain trapped until the amendment route forces a recorded decision, which is why these tags and names matter for search and for accountability. 

Columbia, South Carolina | Jan 1, 2026 -
1,472 Combat Injured South Carolina Veterans Lose $1.77 Million Monthly as Senate Action Stalls Major Star Act
https://www.issuewire.com/1472-combat-injured-south-carolina-veterans-lose-177-million-monthly-as-senate-action-stalls-major-star-act-1852263101125012
South Carolina Veterans who are Combat Injured keep losing Military Retirement Pay because VA Disability triggers a dollar for dollar offset for Chapter 61 medical retirees. The Major Richard Star Act fixes this narrow injustice by restoring earned retired pay for the defined combat injured group, aligning their treatment with how concurrent receipt already works for 20 year retirees. This is a direct retirement pay correction, not a new entitlement.
The remaining barrier is Senate procedure and leadership will, which is why the tags point straight at the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senate Republicans, Senator Thune, and Senator Wicker. Ending the stall means forcing the Major Richard Star Act into a must pass vote lane so South Carolina Veterans can keep both earned retirement pay and the disability compensation awarded for their injuries.

Norfolk, Virginia | Jan 1, 2026
Virginia Vets Lose $24.2 Million Yearly as Senate Inaction Impacts Combat Injured Retirees
https://www.issuewire.com/virginia-vets-lose-242-million-yearly-as-senate-inaction-impacts-combat-injured-retirees-1852285621547394
Virginia Veterans lose earned retirement pay because the Major Richard Star Act has not been executed, leaving the Chapter 61 offset in place for combat injured medical retirees. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine are named as the Virginia pressure targets, with S.Amdt. 4056 positioned as the vehicle that can carry the fix through defense funding. This is a retirement pay restoration issue tied to Veteran Affairs realities, not a rhetorical debate about benefits.
S.Amdt. 4056 forces the decision into the Senate Armed Services Committee lane and onto the floor where Senate Republicans must choose action over delay. Senator Wicker is the procedural block, Senator Thune is a leadership node, and the entire point of the amendment path is to end the quiet stall and put every senator on record for or against restoring earned retirement pay.

Seattle, Washington | Jan 1, 2026 -
1,521 Combat Injured Washington Veterans Lose $1.8 Million Monthly as Major Star Act Stalls in U.S. Senate
https://www.issuewire.com/1521-combat-injured-washington-veterans-lose-18-million-monthly-as-major-star-act-stalls-in-us-senate-1852863573658951
Washington’s combat injured medical retirees are losing earned retirement because the Major Richard Star Act remains stalled, keeping the Chapter 61 offset in force and draining retirement pay month after month. The Washington angle names Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell as the state targets, while the national accountability line names Senator Wicker and Roger Wicker as the blocking force, described as a Mississippi Senator obstacle. S.Amdt 4056 is the active tool designed to force the fix through the NDAA 2026 environment and onto the Senate floor.
With the Senate Armed Services Committee and Senator John Thune in the pressure chain, S.Amdt 4056 turns a hidden procedural block into an unavoidable vote. The outcome is the same across states: restore earned retirement pay for combat injured retirees and end the offset that punishes veterans who were medically retired because of their injuries.