The Major Richard Star Act in October 2026: 340 House Cosponsors, 80 in the Senate, and Still No Vote

As of October 3, 2026, the Major Richard Star Act is not law, and neither chamber has voted on it. That is settled. The House bill, H.R. 2102, has 340 cosponsors. The Senate bill, S. 1032, has 80. Both are still in the committees they were sent to in March 2025. What is not settled is whether either one moves before this Congress ends. The bill would change one specific thing: a veteran who was medically retired with a combat-related disability, with fewer than 20 years of service, would receive retired pay without the reduction that applies today.

Where each bill stands

We read both records on Congress.gov on October 3, 2026. The House bill was referred to two committees, Armed Services and Veterans' Affairs. Neither bill shows a hearing, a markup or a floor vote. With 340 of 435 House members and 80 of 100 senators signed on, support is not what is missing. A vote is.

What the bill would do

The Congressional Research Service summary of S. 1032 is two sentences: the bill "allows a veteran with a combat-related disability to receive retirement pay, without reduction, concurrently with their disability compensation," including veterans "with a combat-related disability and fewer than 20 years of creditable service." It notes that veterans who receive combat-related special compensation and retirement pay are currently subject to an offset in retirement pay.

In plain terms, the bill is about one group: Chapter 61 medical retirees who did not reach 20 years and whose disability is combat-related. It would not change anything for a 20-year retiree rated 50% or higher, who already receives both payments in full.

What happens to that veteran today

Two programs soften the offset between retired pay and VA compensation, and a medical retiree under 20 years is shut out of one and capped in the other.

• CRDP (Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay): restores the offset for retirees with a VA rating of 50% or higher. A Chapter 61 retiree with fewer than 20 years of creditable service is not eligible at all and still waives retired pay dollar for dollar (DoD FMR Volume 7B, Chapter 64).
• CRSC (Combat-Related Special Compensation): a tax-free payment for combat-related disabilities rated 10% or higher, open to Chapter 61 retirees. For one with fewer than 20 years, CRSC plus any retired pay left after the VA offset cannot exceed 2.5% (2.0% under BRS) times creditable years times the retired pay base (DoD FMR Volume 7B, Chapter 63; 10 U.S.C. § 1413a(b)(3)).

That cap is the heart of it. A medical retiree with 10 creditable years is held near 25% of the retired pay base, however severe the combat-related disability. A hypothetical to show the shape, not a real case: a veteran medically retired with $1,500.00 a month of retired pay and a 70% rating receives $1,808.45 in VA compensation and, because the VA payment is larger, waives all $1,500.00 of retired pay. CRSC can restore part of that, up to the cap. Under the bill as CRS summarizes it, the retired pay would be paid without reduction.

What to do while it sits in committee

• Claim CRSC if you have not. It is not automatic. You file DD Form 2860 with the branch you retired from, and the branch decides which disabilities are combat-related. Retroactive payment can reach back to June 1, 2003. The CRDP vs CRSC calculator estimates both programs.
• Check your VA rating. CRSC is paid on the combat-related portion of your rating, so an increase in a combat-related condition raises it. Current rates are in the VA disability calculator, and the 2027 estimate is in our 2027 rates guide.
• Do not pay anyone to "enroll" you. There is nothing to enroll in. If the bill becomes law, DFAS and the services will implement it for the retirees it covers.
• Watch for a vehicle. A bill like this can also move as an amendment to the annual defense bill rather than by itself. We have not found it in an enacted law, and we will say so here when that changes.

The bottom line

The Major Richard Star Act would end the retired pay offset for medically retired veterans with combat-related disabilities and fewer than 20 years of service. As of October 3, 2026, H.R. 2102 has 340 cosponsors and S. 1032 has 80, and neither has left committee or had a vote. Until one passes, the money available to those veterans is CRSC, which has to be claimed and is capped by years of service. VA rates cited are those effective December 1, 2025; always verify with DFAS, your branch CRSC office or the VA before making financial decisions.