Senate Republicans have blocked two attempts by Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, to advance the Major Richard Star Act. This legislation is designed to provide more than 50,000 combat-injured veterans with their full military benefits. Despite bipartisan support, Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) objected to moving forward with the bill, stating, “we simply cannot afford it.”
Johnson first opposed Blumenthal’s motion for unanimous consent on the bill. In response, Blumenthal proposed a compromise that would allow a single roll call vote on the legislation at a 60-vote threshold and give Republican Majority Leader John Thune flexibility in scheduling the vote before August. Johnson also blocked this motion.
Blumenthal expressed disappointment after both attempts were stopped. He said, “The simple request for a vote has been denied, there are a variety of excuses that have been offered, like it cost too much. Well, as the National Commander for the [Veterans of Foreign Wars] said today, in supporting this bill, costs of providing for our veterans are part of the cost of war,” adding that ongoing conflict makes support for injured veterans urgent: “We are in a war right now, real-time. And some of those combat-injured veterans will be sacrificing their disability or retirement pay because of this injustice…We can afford to right this injustice…it is a pittance compared to the cost of our national defense, which is close to a trillion dollars now. This country can afford to do the right thing by these combat-injured veterans, and we have a moral imperative to do so.”
He criticized Johnson’s rationale: “I am heartbroken for a nation that can afford to spend tens of billions of dollars, as we are doing right now, perhaps hundreds of billions, in a conflict far away putting American lives in harm's way, causing death, six at least so far, and casualties in real-time when we are failing to match their bravery with our own. It is unconscionable. A lot of words, a lot of numbers, a lot of fallbacks to Senate procedure process—meaningless.”
Blumenthal’s calls came after joint hearings between Senate and House Veterans’ Affairs Committees and Veterans Service Organizations. He noted strong advocacy from veterans: “This week and last, thousands of veterans have flown into our nation's capital from every corner of the country to advocate for their top priorities and collectively, they are calling on Congress…have told us unequivocally and repeatedly that correcting this injustice is absolutely necessary…A message to my colleagues: respect without action is meaningless. Rhetoric without action is meaningless. Words without action are worthless. So, let's put the politics aside and listen to our veterans.”
After Johnson blocked both motions again on Tuesday afternoon, Blumenthal called Republican opposition “a mockery of democracy.”
The Major Richard Star Act aims to allow medically retired combat-injured veterans to receive both Department of Defense (DOD) retirement pay and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability payments without reduction—a policy change affecting over 50,000 retirees who currently see their retirement reduced dollar-for-dollar by disability benefits if they served less than 20 years or have lower disability ratings.
Previously in October 2025, Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker (R-MS) also blocked efforts by Blumenthal to advance this legislation.
The bill has broad backing with 77 bipartisan cosponsors in the Senate and 316 in the House. It honors Major Richard A. Star—a decorated veteran forced into medical retirement due to combat injuries—who advocated for these changes until his death from cancer in 2021.
During remarks on the Senate floor following another failed attempt at passage on Tuesday afternoon—after leaving hearings attended by numerous Veterans Service Organizations—Blumenthal stated: “There is no more glaring and egregious injustice affecting veterans today...than the fact that 50,000 veterans are forced to medically retire...being unable to collect both retirement benefits and disability compensation.”
He continued: “Right now...combat-injured veterans are getting a dollar-for-dollar reduction...They’re entitled to both; they've earned both...The Major Richards Star Act will finally provide some justice...It’s sponsored by 77 colleagues in the Senate...We have never been provided with a vote...If it did receive a vote it would pass overwhelmingly.”
He cited testimony from Staff Sergeant Clayton Smith: "Passing the Richard Star Act would not only restore financial fairness but it would restore confidence among combat-injured veterans that their sacrifice is recognized equally." He also referenced Dan Nevens from Florida—a bilateral amputee whose Army career ended after an IED explosion—saying such stories show why elected officials should deliver promised benefits.
Barry Jesinoski—the Disabled American Veterans’ national CEO—was quoted: "Respect without action is meaningless."
The Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee oversees programs supporting U.S. veterans nationwide—including health care access and benefit administration—and works closely with organizations like the Department of Veterans Affairs across its offices at the Capitol complex.
According to its official website, Jerry Moran serves as chairman while Richard Blumenthal serves as ranking member.
For more information about ongoing efforts regarding veteran benefits legislation or committee activities visit the official website.
