Van Willis Media

05/23/2026

Silver Star Families Action Group honors the Heroes who gave everything and the Families who carry their legacy!

SUPPORT. HONOR. ADVOCATE.

05/17/2026

Today we honor the brave men and women who have served and continue to serve our nation with courage, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication.

On this Armed Forces Day, we salute every Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine, Guardian, and Coast Guardsman who stands watch to protect our freedoms.

Thank you for your service, your strength, and your commitment to this country.

05/08/2026

Having the Secretary of War doesn’t suddenly make the Star Act pass!

The bill lives or dies in Congress, not the Pentagon. That means:

* House + Senate leadership decisions
* Whether it gets attached to a must-pass bill (like NDAA or reconciliation)
* Budget concerns (this is the biggest obstacle)

Having the support of the SecWar means:

* The Secretary of War can support or oppose it behind the scenes
* Their stance can influence lawmakers, especially on cost and policy
* But they cannot pass the law

Bottom line:

* The Star Act still has strong bipartisan support
* It keeps getting pushed for inclusion in bigger bills
* The main resistance is still cost + competing priorities, not lack of support

Together, we will get the Star Act passed this year!





Link to post:
https://www.facebook.com/share/18mPtNhB3L/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said he supports the Richard Star Act to give medically retired veterans full compensation.

05/06/2026

Star Act Update – Movement in the House

H. RES. 1247 has been introduced to fast-track consideration of H.R. 2102 – the Major Richard Star Act.

Here’s what that means:

- This resolution sets the rules for debating and voting on the Star Act in the House• It clears procedural roadblocks (waives points of order)• It limits debate to 1 hour and pushes toward a final vote• It automatically adopts the latest version of the bill• If passed, the House must send it to the Senate within 3 days

- Allows combat-disabled retirees (Chapter 61, under 20 years) to receive both retirement pay AND VA disability compensation

- Ends the offset that currently forces many to choose between the two.

- This is a major step forward, it means leadership is setting the conditions to actually bring the Star Act to the floor for a vote.

- This does NOT mean it’s passed yet, but it’s one of the clearest signs of real momentum we’ve seen.

Now is the time to stay loud and keep the pressure on. Together, we will pass the Star Act this year!

Join the effort to end the “wounded veteran tax.” The Star Act Alliance advocates fair retirement pay for combat-injured veterans who’ve earned it.

04/26/2026

Star Act Alliance DC Updates

Senate: (79 cosponsors out of 100)

* Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) staff continue engagement on positioning the Major Richard Star Act (Star Act) for inclusion in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
* Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) spoke during the DC press conference and has been actively working to include the Star Act in the reconciliation package through the amendment process.
* Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC) Chairman Jerry Moran (R-KS) and SASC Chairman Roger Wicker (R-MS) remain key Senate leaders engaged on a path forward for the Star Act.
* Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) has requested to be added as a cosponsor, reflecting continued momentum in the Senate.

House: (322 cosponsors out of 435)

* Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL-12) reported a successful Star Act press conference alongside the Veterans Justice Alliance and other VSOs, generating strong interest and media attention.
* Rep. Morgan Luttrell (R-TX-8) and Rep. Trent Kelly (R-MS-1), both members of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC), are actively engaged in efforts to move the Star Act forward.
* At this time, HASC has not yet advanced Star Act legislative language, underscoring the need for continued advocacy to secure inclusion in the FY2027 NDAA.
* Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-CA-25) continues to support the bill and is exploring additional pathways for advancement, while also backing efforts to include the Star Act in the NDAA.
* Rep. Scott Peters (D-CA-50), Rep. Robert Scott (D-VA-3), and Rep. Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ-7) have requested to be added as cosponsors, continuing the strong bipartisan support.

Together, we will get the Star Act passed this year!

Join the effort to end the “wounded veteran tax.” The Star Act Alliance advocates fair retirement pay for combat-injured veterans who’ve earned it.

04/22/2026

States with Major Richard Star Act resolutions:

Passed (confirmed)

-California – Passed AJR 15
-Pennsylvania – Senate resolution adopted unanimously
-Louisiana – Passed (widely reported in advocacy tracking)

Introduced / Adopted / Moving (confirmed legislation)

-Kentucky – SR 285 adopted April 2026
-Iowa – HR 105 introduced Feb 2026

Introduced / Moving (tracked by advocacy groups & state activity) These are real but less consistently reported in national media:

-Alabama
-Arizona
-South Carolina
-Washington
-Illinois

Many states still have time this year to introduce and pass a state resolution supporting the Major Richard Star Act.

Together, we will pass the Star Act this year!

04/19/2026

The Star Act Alliance brings together veterans service organizations, advocates, and policy leaders to restore fairness for combat-injured veterans and ensure they receive the retirement pay they’ve earned.

Please use their website to take action today!

Tell Congress to support the Major Richard Star Act. Your voice can help advance this overdue change for veterans.