S.1032 - Major Richard Star Act (119th Congress)
Summary
The Major Richard Star Act (S.1032) aims to amend Title 10 of the United States Code to allow concurrent receipt of veterans' disability compensation and retired pay for disability retirees with combat-related disabilities. This bill seeks to eliminate the reduction in retired pay for veterans who receive both retired pay and disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The bill specifically targets veterans who retired due to a disability incurred during combat.
Expected Effects
If enacted, the Major Richard Star Act will provide financial relief to eligible veterans by allowing them to receive both their full military retired pay and disability compensation without any reduction. This change will primarily affect veterans who retired under Chapter 61 of Title 10 due to a disability related to combat. The Act also includes technical and conforming amendments to reflect these changes in the U.S. Code.
Potential Benefits
- Provides financial relief to combat-disabled veterans by allowing concurrent receipt of retirement and disability pay.
- Simplifies the process for veterans to receive their full benefits.
- Corrects a perceived inequity in the current system where disabled veterans face a reduction in retirement pay.
- Acknowledges the sacrifices made by veterans who served in combat and sustained disabilities.
- May improve the morale and financial stability of affected veterans and their families.
Potential Disadvantages
- May increase government spending due to increased payments to veterans.
- Could potentially create disparities between different categories of veterans based on disability type and circumstances of retirement.
- The long-term fiscal impact of the bill is not explicitly addressed in the document.
- May require additional administrative resources to implement and manage the concurrent receipt program.
- Some may argue that it creates a double benefit for a specific group of veterans, potentially leading to calls for similar benefits for other groups.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the constitutional principle of providing for the common defense and promoting the general welfare, as outlined in the Preamble. Specifically, it supports veterans who have served in the armed forces and sustained disabilities during combat. Congress has the power to provide for the military under Article I, Section 8, which includes the power to provide for veterans. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).