Community Conversation => Military Veterans Confab => Topic started by: Lori Dee on July 15, 2026, 04:57:40 PM Return to Full Version
Title: Top House Democrat calls to split veterans omnibus, advance Major Star Act
Post by: Lori Dee on July 15, 2026, 04:57:40 PM
Post by: Lori Dee on July 15, 2026, 04:57:40 PM
Top House Democrat calls to split veterans omnibus, advance Major Richard Star Act
https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2026/07/15/top-house-democrat-calls-to-split-veterans-omnibus-advance-major-richard-star-act/
Military Times - Natalie Oliverio
Jul 15, 2026, 01:10 PM
As supporters of the Taking Care of America's Veterans Act defend the legislation as the best chance in years to pass more than 60 veterans bills, the committee's top Democrat says Congress should be prepared to abandon the omnibus altogether if lawmakers cannot agree on how to pay for it.
Years of bipartisan work on the Major Richard Star Act and dozens of other veterans bills could take a different path if it doesn't get the votes needed on the senate floor this week.
Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., ranking member on the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, told Military Times on Wednesday that Congress should abandon the omnibus package and instead advance the Major Richard Star Act and other bipartisan veterans bills individually rather than risk losing them over the funding dispute.
The conflicted legislation includes the Major Richard Star Act, and the Love Lives On Act, along with expanded caregiver support, survivor benefits, community care improvements, education reforms and mental health initiatives affecting millions of veterans, military families, caregivers and survivors. While many of those measures have broad bipartisan support, disagreement over how to pay for them has become an immovable fencepost blocking forward movement of the package.
-----------------------------------
The legislation would not affect any benefits currently being received, but would affect new claims and disability ratings.
If you have not yet filed a claim, or are considering requesting an upgrade to your rating, DO IT NOW!
The effective date of your claim is the date it is filed, and the effective date of an upgrade is the date the request is filed, not the date of the determination letter.
It never hurts to file. You cannot lose any benefits you have already been awarded. If you don't know where to begin, contact a VSO (Veteran Service Officer). Every County has one, and they work for you for free. Never pay anyone to file a claim; that is fraud.
You can also find a VSO by contacting a Veteran organization such as the DAV (Disabled American Veterans), the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars), the American Legion, or even your local VA Health Clinic.
If you are a member of a veteran organization, be sure to let them know your thoughts on proposed changes. Sometimes, we say something they hadn't considered, and your discussions could give them the ammunition they need to make the change. They can't read your mind. Tell them what you think.
https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2026/07/15/top-house-democrat-calls-to-split-veterans-omnibus-advance-major-richard-star-act/
Military Times - Natalie Oliverio
Jul 15, 2026, 01:10 PM
As supporters of the Taking Care of America's Veterans Act defend the legislation as the best chance in years to pass more than 60 veterans bills, the committee's top Democrat says Congress should be prepared to abandon the omnibus altogether if lawmakers cannot agree on how to pay for it.
Years of bipartisan work on the Major Richard Star Act and dozens of other veterans bills could take a different path if it doesn't get the votes needed on the senate floor this week.
Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., ranking member on the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, told Military Times on Wednesday that Congress should abandon the omnibus package and instead advance the Major Richard Star Act and other bipartisan veterans bills individually rather than risk losing them over the funding dispute.
The conflicted legislation includes the Major Richard Star Act, and the Love Lives On Act, along with expanded caregiver support, survivor benefits, community care improvements, education reforms and mental health initiatives affecting millions of veterans, military families, caregivers and survivors. While many of those measures have broad bipartisan support, disagreement over how to pay for them has become an immovable fencepost blocking forward movement of the package.
-----------------------------------
The legislation would not affect any benefits currently being received, but would affect new claims and disability ratings.
If you have not yet filed a claim, or are considering requesting an upgrade to your rating, DO IT NOW!
The effective date of your claim is the date it is filed, and the effective date of an upgrade is the date the request is filed, not the date of the determination letter.
It never hurts to file. You cannot lose any benefits you have already been awarded. If you don't know where to begin, contact a VSO (Veteran Service Officer). Every County has one, and they work for you for free. Never pay anyone to file a claim; that is fraud.
You can also find a VSO by contacting a Veteran organization such as the DAV (Disabled American Veterans), the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars), the American Legion, or even your local VA Health Clinic.
If you are a member of a veteran organization, be sure to let them know your thoughts on proposed changes. Sometimes, we say something they hadn't considered, and your discussions could give them the ammunition they need to make the change. They can't read your mind. Tell them what you think.