Last year, over two-thirds of Congress supported the Star Act, with 67 Senate co-sponsors and another 336 in the House. The House will reintroduce its bill soon; advocates hope to build on last year’s support and grow the number of original co-sponsors, creating a path to passage as standalone legislation or as part of the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
"Before my husband Richard Star lost his long-fought battle, he made me promise him to continue to work with members of Congress, and help over 50,000 families that would desperately benefit from the Major Richard Star Act. It is my honor to carry on this effort in his memory.” said Tonya Star, widow of Maj. Richard Star, USAR. "Last year, two-thirds of Congress supported the Major Richard Star Act, and it is with much gratitude that I thank Senators Tester and Crapo for their continued commitment to pass this legislation for our servicemembers and their families.”
Richard Star asked many of us across the community of military and veterans service organizations (MSOs/VSOs) to keep up the fight after he was gone. A recent press release, replete with statements from advocates across the community, depicts the "one voice” effect critical for an advocacy campaign and commitment to keep that promise.
"Supporting our combat injured is a national imperative,” said Jack Du Teil, president of The Military Coalition (TMC) – a group of 35 MSOs and VSOs, including MOAA, which represents nearly 5.5 million members of the wider uniformed services community. "More than two-thirds of Congress supported this legislation last year, and we look forward to working [with] Senators Tester and Crapo and Representatives [Gus] Bilirakis and [Raul] Ruiz to get this legislation passed into law this year.”
