The resolution from the 136th General Assembly of Ohio urges the United States Congress to enact the Major Richard Star Act, which aims to amend federal law to allow veterans to receive both disability compensation and retirement pay concurrently. Currently, veterans who are medically retired with fewer than twenty years of service face a dollar-for-dollar offset of their Department of Defense retirement pay, resulting in significant financial hardship for approximately fifty thousand combat-wounded veterans nationwide. This offset causes many veterans to lose over a thousand dollars per month in benefits, despite their service and sacrifices.

The Major Richard Star Act has garnered strong bipartisan support in Congress and endorsements from various veterans service organizations, highlighting its importance in addressing this longstanding inequity. The resolution emphasizes the need for Congress to act swiftly to eliminate the offset, as it imposes physical, psychological, and financial burdens on veterans and their families. The Ohio General Assembly expresses its commitment to supporting these veterans by advocating for the passage of this crucial legislation and plans to communicate this resolution to key federal officials and the media.