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Congressman Joe Courtney Urges Passage of Major Richard Star Act to Restore Veteran Benefits

Congressman Joe Courtney Urges Passage of Major Richard Star Act to Restore Veteran Benefits

Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) delivered a speech on the House floor, advocating for the passage of the Major Richard Star Act (H.R. 2102). This bipartisan bill aims to rectify an existing injustice that reduces earned retirement benefits for veteran retirees who also receive service-connected disability benefits. Currently, combat-injured veterans forced into medical retirement can only receive either U.S. Department of Defense retirement benefits or U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation, but not both concurrently. Congressman Courtney is one of 341 cosponsors of the bill and previously signed a discharge petition to compel a House vote. With the signature threshold met, a vote on the Major Richard Star Act is anticipated on Veterans Day. He emphasized that veterans service organizations consistently highlight the unfairness of denying full retirement and disability benefits to those who suffered combat-related injuries.

Senate advances sweeping energy legislation in first major action since midterm elections

Senate advances sweeping energy legislation in first major action since midterm elections

The Senate is moving forward with bipartisan legislation to speed up permitting for data centers and infrastructure projects

Democratic US senators see hope for permitting bill ahead of key Senate vote

Democratic US senators see hope for permitting bill ahead of key Senate vote

Nov 9 (Reuters) - Democratic US Senators Martin Heinrich of New Mexico and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island rallied on Monday for a bipartisan energy permitting bill ahead of a preliminary vote, arguing recent changes to the legislation and assurances from the Trump administration on stalled wind

Rep. Mark Takano Forces House Vote on Major Richard Star Act to End 'Wounded Veteran Tax'

Rep. Mark Takano Forces House Vote on Major Richard Star Act to End 'Wounded Veteran Tax'

Rep. Mark Takano, the ranking Democrat on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, has successfully used a discharge petition to force a House floor vote on the Major Richard Star Act (H.R. 2102). The petition garnered the necessary 218 signatures, with Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., providing the decisive signature. This legislative maneuver bypasses the usual committee process, compelling the House speaker to schedule a full chamber vote within two legislative days. The Major Richard Star Act aims to eliminate the 'wounded veteran tax,' a policy that currently reduces the military retirement pay of combat-injured veterans who also receive VA disability compensation. This affects approximately 59,000 combat-injured veterans, particularly those medically retired with fewer than 20 years of service, who are currently forced to forfeit a portion of their earned benefits.

Representative Westerman Champions Veteran Owner-Builders Rights Act to Enhance Veteran Housing Opportunities

Representative Westerman Champions Veteran Owner-Builders Rights Act to Enhance Veteran Housing Opportunities

Representative Bruce Westerman (R-Arkansas) has co-sponsored the Veteran Owner-Builders Rights Act, a bill designed to provide military veterans with greater access to affordable and reliable housing. This legislation introduces an innovative pilot program that will work with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to offer direct, low-interest loans at a one percent rate. These loans are intended to help veterans purchase land and construct their own homes. Representative Westerman emphasized that the bill aligns with his commitments to supporting the forestry industry and honoring veterans. He highlighted the direct correlation between veterans' well-being and reliable housing, noting that high construction costs and interest rates often hinder veterans from achieving homeownership.

Senate advances energy permitting bill opposed by some Democrats, tribes

Senate advances energy permitting bill opposed by some Democrats, tribes

By Nichola Groom Nov 9 (Reuters) - The US Senate voted to advance debate on a sweeping bipartisan energy permitting bill on Monday, handing a victory to Democratic Senators Martin Heinrich and Sheldon Whitehouse as they seek to pass the ambitious infrastructure legislation before Congress adjourns.

Senator Cantwell and Colleagues Introduce Bill to Expand PACT Act Coverage for Iran War Veterans

Senator Cantwell and Colleagues Introduce Bill to Expand PACT Act Coverage for Iran War Veterans

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), alongside 12 Senate colleagues including Senator Angus King (I-ME), has introduced new legislation aimed at ensuring Iran War veterans receive coverage under the PACT Act. This bill seeks to eliminate bureaucratic hurdles, making it easier for service members exposed to toxic substances during their deployment in Iran to access necessary treatment. The PACT Act, enacted four years ago, facilitated healthcare access for veterans exposed to toxic substances by establishing a list of presumed-exposure locations. However, Iran is currently not on this list, despite troops in the Iran War facing similar hazards. The proposed 'New PACT for Iran Veterans Act' would mandate the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to add Iran to the covered locations and proactively review all overseas assignments for toxic substance exposures every five years. It also requires the VA Secretary to publicly justify any denial of a country recommended for presumed toxic exposure or removal of exist...

Senator Jerry Moran Urges Congress to Pass Aviation Safety Legislation Following Deadly Flight 5342 Crash

Senator Jerry Moran Urges Congress to Pass Aviation Safety Legislation Following Deadly Flight 5342 Crash

Kansas Senator Jerry Moran is renewing his call for Congress to pass aviation safety legislation, nearly two years after the Flight 5342 crash that resulted in 67 fatalities, including seven Kansans. Speaking on Monday, Senator Moran emphasized the urgency for legislative action, stating that the time for delay is over and Congress must finalize a bill before the end of the year. He highlighted that the families of the victims continue to advocate for these changes to prevent future tragedies. While legislative proposals like the ROTOR Act and the ALERT Act have been drafted, none have yet been enacted into law, and no new aviation safety legislation has been introduced in the House. Senator Moran stressed that both the Senate and House have acted on the issue, and there is bipartisan support for improving aviation safety, urging lawmakers to resolve their differences and deliver a final bill.

New Mexico State Representative Kathleen Cates Advocates for Enhanced Veteran Support Programs

New Mexico State Representative Kathleen Cates Advocates for Enhanced Veteran Support Programs

New Mexico State Representative Kathleen Cates, a Democrat representing House District 44, which includes parts of Sandoval and Bernalillo counties, is advocating for stronger support and funding for veteran programs. Ahead of Veterans Day, Rep. Cates emphasized that a simple 'thank you' is insufficient and called for increased investment in services that help veterans secure housing, find employment, and rebuild their lives after military service. She highlighted that New Mexico has approximately 122,000 veterans, with significant percentages facing service-related disabilities, relying on SNAP benefits, or experiencing homelessness, underscoring the critical need for comprehensive support.

Senate weighs sweeping energy legislation in first major action since midterm elections

Senate weighs sweeping energy legislation in first major action since midterm elections

The Senate is set to consider bipartisan legislation to speed up permitting for data centers and infrastructure projects

Democratic US senators push for energy permitting bill ahead of key Senate vote

Democratic US senators push for energy permitting bill ahead of key Senate vote

By Nichola Groom Nov 9 (Reuters) - Democratic US Senators Martin Heinrich of New Mexico and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island rallied on Monday for a bipartisan energy permitting bill ahead of a preliminary vote, arguing recent changes to the legislation and assurances from the Trump administration

John Oliver Dunks on Midterms Losers Elon Musk and Haley Stevens

John Oliver Dunks on Midterms Losers Elon Musk and Haley Stevens

After issuing an urgent warning prior to the midterms about the GOP’s increasingly troubling ties to neo-Nazis (with a little dig at Elizabeth Holmes and Billy Evans, of “You Can See Everything” infamy, thrown in for good measure), John Oliver returned to the “Last Week Tonight” desk on Sunday to bask in the Democrats’ blue […]