The House approved a veterans’ benefits measure Nov. 12 that would end a retirement-pay reduction for some combat-injured former service members, potentially raising their monthly compensation while adding billions in projected federal spending.
The House Clerk recorded 392 votes in favor, 18 against and 23 members not voting. H.R. 2102, the Major Richard Star Act, would cover service members medically retired under Chapter 61 after qualifying combat-related injuries who left the military before completing 20 years.
Current rules generally subtract Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation from military retirement pay. Data from the Defense Department cited by the Congressional Budget Office showed about 58,000 retirees in this group received Combat-Related Special Compensation in September 2025. CBO projects the number will reach about 65,000 by 2036.
For September 2025, CBO calculated an average monthly retirement-pay offset of about $2,275 and average Combat-Related Special Compensation of about $825. It estimated the bill would raise eligible retirees’ combined monthly compensation by about $1,450, without accounting for future inflation.
CBO’s estimate for the version “as modified for House consideration” projects $12.75 billion in additional direct outlays during fiscal years 2027-2036. It also projects $7.45 billion in spending subject to appropriation. CBO describes those payments as accrual transfers to the Military Retirement Fund, with no net effect on federal spending.
The Senate has not advanced companion measure S. 1032. Sen. Dave McCormick’s office listed it as read twice and referred to the Senate Armed Services Committee on Sept. 1. A funding dispute surfaced in June: Sen. Thom Tillis objected to a request to pass the bill by unanimous consent, saying it lacked a funding mechanism, while Sen. Richard Blumenthal said he had proposed using unspent Defense Department funds to cover the cost.
Wounded Warrior Project supported House passage and urged the Senate to consider the bill. Jose Ramos, the group’s senior vice president of government and community relations, said the offset leaves some veterans short of the full retirement and disability benefits they earned. The organization said the measure is named for Army Maj. Richard Star, whose cancer it linked to toxic exposure during Middle East deployments; Star died in 2021.
The Senate’s published Nov. 16 calendar names two roll calls on other matters and does not include a vote on S. 1032.
