U.S. House GOP Introduces VA Overhaul Bill with Benefit Cuts and Union Opposition
Congressional Republicans introduced the "Take Care of America’s Veterans Act," a 62-bill package including the Major Richard Star Act to expand benefits for combat-disabled retirees and surviving spouses. To offset an estimated $11 billion cost over 10 years, the bill cuts $60 billion in future disability benefits for hearing loss and sleep apnea. Democrats, unions, and veterans groups like the VFW and DAV oppose the cuts and provisions reclassifying VA psychologists under Title 38, limiting collective bargaining rights. Critics also warn the expanded Community Care Program signals privatization.
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US House to vote on landmark veterans benefits bill with expansions and cuts
The U.S. House of Representatives is set to vote on the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act, a 62-provision bill consolidating key veterans legislation. The bill includes the Major Richard Star Act, which grants 54,000 combat-related disabled veterans both full military retirement pay and VA disability compensation without offsets, and the Love Lives On Act, allowing surviving spouses to retain benefits if they remarry before age 55. To offset the estimated $11 billion cost over a decade, the bill proposes accelerating updates to the VA disability rating schedule for sleep apnea and tinnitus, potentially reducing future benefits for new applicants. This offset has drawn strong opposition from major veterans service organizations, including the VFW and DAV, who argue it cuts benefits for future disabled veterans to pay for current ones. The bill has broad bipartisan support but previously stalled due to cost concerns.
Marine Corps TimesHouse to vote on landmark veterans bill expanding benefits for wounded and widows, cutting others
The U.S. House will vote on the Take Care of America’s Veterans bill, a 62-provision package including the Maj. Richard Star Act, which would allow 54,000 combat-disabled veterans to receive full military retirement pay and VA disability compensation without offsets, and the Love Lives On Act, which lets surviving spouses keep benefits if they remarry before age 55. The $11 billion cost over 10 years would be offset by tightening VA disability ratings for sleep apnea and tinnitus — changes projected to save $57 billion by affecting future claimants. Major veterans groups including the VFW and DAV strongly oppose the offsets, arguing they break promises to future disabled veterans. Sponsors Rep. Mike Bost and Sen. Jerry Moran say the bill balances priorities to overcome previous congressional blocking over cost concerns.
Air Force TimesHouse to Vote on Landmark Bill Boosting DOD and VA Benefits with Some Offsetting Cuts
The U.S. House of Representatives is set to vote on the Take Care of America's Veterans Act, a consolidated bill containing 62 provisions including the Major Richard Star Act and the Love Lives On Act. The Star Act would provide 54,000 medically retired veterans with full military retirement pay and VA disability compensation without offsets, while the Love Lives On Act would allow surviving spouses to retain benefits if they remarry before age 55. To offset the estimated $11 billion cost over 10 years, the bill would update VA rating schedules for sleep apnea and tinnitus—potentially reducing future disability compensation by $57 billion according to Disabled American Veterans. The approach has drawn strong opposition from major veterans service organizations including the VFW and DAV, who argue it forces future disabled veterans to pay for expanded benefits for current veterans. The bill has broad bipartisan support in both chambers but has been stalled over cost concerns.
Marine Corps TimesHouse to vote on landmark bill that boosts DOD and VA benefits for some while cutting others
The U.S. House is set to vote on the Take Care of America's Veterans bill, a comprehensive package consolidating 62 provisions aimed at expanding and offsetting veterans benefits. The bill includes the Maj. Richard Star Act, which would allow 54,000 medically retired veterans to receive both full military retirement pay and VA disability compensation without offsets, and the Love Lives On Act, permitting surviving spouses under 55 to retain benefits if they remarry. To cover the estimated $11 billion cost over a decade, the bill accelerates 2022 VA rating schedule updates for sleep apnea and tinnitus, potentially cutting future disability compensation for new applicants. This cost-offset approach has drawn strong opposition from major veterans service organizations like DAV and VFW, who argue it unfairly burdens future disabled veterans. The bill has broad bipartisan support with 336 House co-sponsors and 79 Senate backers for the Star Act, but prior cost concerns had blocked its passage.
Army TimesGOP VA Overhaul Bill Narrows Employee Rights, Spurs Privatization Concerns, Union Says
Congressional Republicans introduced the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act, a package of over 60 bills aimed at improving VA care, including the Major Richard Star Act for combat-disabled veterans. Democrats and unions warn the bill cuts $60 billion in benefits, particularly for veterans with hearing loss and sleep apnea, and reclassifies VA psychologists under Title 38, reducing collective bargaining rights. The VFW opposes the benefit offsets, calling them a burden on future veterans. The VA stated no immediate changes to the rating schedule for tinnitus and sleep apnea are planned. The bill is seen as a partisan move to counter a discharge petition for a clean vote on the Major Richard Star Act.
Government Executive - All ContentGOP VA Overhaul Bill Narrows Employee Rights, Spurs Privatization Concerns
Congressional Republicans introduced the Take Care of America's Veterans Act, a package of over 60 bills including the popular Major Richard Star Act. The bill aims to expand benefits for combat-injured veterans and severely disabled veterans, but Democrats and unions warn it cuts $60 billion in existing benefits, particularly for hearing loss and sleep apnea. The legislation also reclassifies thousands of VA psychologists under Title 38, reducing collective bargaining rights. The VFW opposes the benefit offsets, and the VA says no changes are imminent. The bill is seen as a Republican alternative to a Democratic discharge petition on the Major Richard Star Act.
Government Executive - All ContentGOP VA Overhaul Bill Draws Union and Democrat Criticism Over Benefits Cuts and Employee Rights
Congressional Republicans introduced the 'Take Care of America’s Veterans Act,' a package of over 60 bills aimed at overhauling the Veterans Affairs Department, including the Major Richard Star Act for combat-disabled retirees. Democrats and unions argue the bill cuts $60 billion in benefits, notably for hearing loss and sleep apnea, to fund expansions. The American Federation of Government Employees opposes provisions that would reclassify thousands of VA psychologists under Title 38, limiting collective bargaining rights over patient care issues. The Veterans of Foreign Wars also condemned the proposal for offsetting new benefits by cutting existing ones. The bill also expands the Veterans Community Care Program, viewed by critics as a step toward privatization. A discharge petition to force a clean vote on the Major Richard Star Act is just five signatures short.
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