Kelly Helps Reintroduce Bill to Ensure Full Benefits for Combat Veterans

Senator Rick Scott joined a bipartisan effort in the Senate, including Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX), Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), and 186 members in the House of Representatives such as Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) to reintroduce the bipartisan Major Richard Star Act to ensure full benefits for veterans.

The legislation is named after Major Richard A. Star, a decorated war veteran forced to medically retire due to his combat-related injuries.

This bill would allow the security of full benefits for combat-injured veterans who retired with less than 20 years of service. They would receive both Department of Defense (DoD) retirement pay and VA disability compensation (full concurrent receipt) simultaneously.

According to Sen. Scott, current law requires veterans to forfeit a portion of their benefits to fulfill the "dollar-for-dollar offset of disability compensation and retirement pay."

The Major Richard Star Act would remedy this notion that a combat veteran wouldn't be able to receive the benefits they earned regardless of time served.

Sen. Scott said that this bill is part of a "critical change" necessary to properly reward America's veterans with their earned benefits.

"I am a proud veteran and the son of a World War II veteran, and I have immense respect for anyone who puts on the uniform to defend our nation," said Scott. "Our veterans are American heroes who have made countless sacrifices. The Major Richard Star Act ensures our veterans receive the full benefits they’ve earned through their service and sacrifice protecting our nation regardless of length of service."

Scott concluded, "This legislation makes a critical change to treat our veterans fairly and support our nation’s heroes. I urge my colleagues to support its quick passage.”

Moreover, Rep. Bilirakis, one of the main sponsors of the companion bill in the House, shared that one benefit "does not diminish the merits of the other" and should both be granted fully for veterans who earned it.

"The brave men and women who return from serving our country should be able to receive the benefits promised to them. Military retirement pay and service-connected disability compensation are two completely different benefits. One does not diminish the merits of the other," said Bilirakis. "I am committed to rectifying this injustice for all Veterans, and passage of the Major Richard Star Act will get us one step closer to our goal of ensuring that Veterans receive the benefits they have earned and deserve."