02.24.21

Hoeven Helps Introduce Legislation to Support Combat-Wounded Veterans

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Committee, this week joined Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) in introducing the Major Richard Star Act. This legislation, also cosponsored by Senator Kevin Cramer, would allow veterans wounded in combat with less than 20 years of service to receive their disability payments and military retirement payments in full.  

Under current law, only military veterans who retire after 20 years of service and are over 50 percent disabled may receive full payment of both Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability payments and Department of Defense (DoD) retirement funds. This legislation would benefit approximately 42,000 combat-disabled veterans who have not served a full 20 years and were forced to retire early as a result of their disability. 

“Our veterans make tremendous sacrifices to protect this great nation,” said Hoeven. “This legislation cuts red tape and would ensure that veterans who have been injured in combat receive the full benefits they rightly deserve.” 

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