South Carolina lawmakers are stepping up for the state’s wounded veterans.
State Representatives Shannon Erickson (R-124) and Thomas Pope (R-47) have introduced H. 4575, a resolution urging Congress to pass the Major Richard Star Act, a bipartisan piece of legislation that would restore full retirement pay to combat-injured veterans who were forced to medically retire before reaching 20 years of service.
If passed by Congress, the legislation would directly impact approximately 1,500 veterans in South Carolina and more than 54,000 nationwide.
Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) and other veterans service organizations, through the Star Act Alliance, are encouraging state leaders across the country to follow South Carolina’s example and formally call on Congress to act.
Under current federal law, veterans who are medically retired due to combat-related injuries and have fewer than 20 years of service have their military retirement pay reduced dollar-for-dollar by the disability compensation they receive from the Department of Veterans Affairs. As a result, thousands of wounded veterans in South Carolina and across the country are unable to collect the full retirement benefits they earned.
The Major Richard Star Act would eliminate that offset, allowing these veterans to receive both their full retirement pay and disability compensation.
“There are more than 54,000 wounded veterans who are being denied hundreds — and in some cases — thousands of dollars a month in earned benefits because of one thing: an injury they suffered in combat serving our country,” said Jose Ramos, vice president of government and community relations for Wounded Warrior Project. “Loss of limbs, combat wounds, post-traumatic stress disorder, and traumatic brain injury are just some of the sacrifices that forced these veterans into early retirement. Yet current law requires that they suffer again — this time financially — because of those same injuries. The Major Richard Star Act would correct this injustice, and we thank South Carolina lawmakers for their leadership.”
South Carolina is one of only five states to introduce a resolution supporting the Major Richard Star Act this year. Supporters say the resolution sends a strong message to Washington that South Carolina stands behind its veterans and expects Congress to fulfill its promise to those who served and sacrificed.
For more information about the Major Richard Star Act, visit: https://newsroom.