Iowa House adopts resolution urging Congress to back Major Richard Star Act

The Iowa House on the floor passed House Resolution 106, urging the U.S. Congress to support the Major Richard Star Act so medically retired service members can receive full retirement pay and Department of Veterans Affairs disability benefits concurrently. Representative Kauffman (Cedar) introduced the measure and moved its passage; the House adopted it by voice vote.

The text read into the record recounts Major Richard Star’s service in Iraq and Afghanistan, states he was diagnosed with lung cancer after exposure to burn pits, and notes that, under current rules, some medically retired service members who have less than 20 years of service and a disability rating under 50% face offsets that reduce retirement pay dollar‑for‑dollar for each dollar of disability pay. The resolution says an estimated "50,000 retired service members are ineligible for concurrent benefits" and cites the Congressional Budget Office’s 2022 estimate of an average offset of about $1,900 per month.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the House, this is a resolution urging the members of Congress to support the Major Richard Star Act to allow medically retired service members to receive full access to their much deserved retirement pay and benefits," Representative Kauffman said while introducing the resolution. After the motion to adopt, the Speaker called for a voice vote and declared the ayes carried.

Members marked the passage with plans for a rotunda celebration later in the day. Representative Crokin announced that many veterans would gather in the rotunda at 3 p.m. and noted that Carol Whitmore, national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the first woman and first Iowan to hold that post, was expected to attend.

The House adjourned later in the day; the chamber is scheduled to reconvene Thursday, Feb. 19, at 8:30 a.m.