Resources
Press

Owens Co-Sponsors Legislation to Provide Disabled Veterans Full Military Benefits

Apr 12, 2022
Congress
Press
Veterans

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, Rep. Burgess Owens (UT-04) co-sponsored the Major Richard Star Act, bipartisan legislation to rectify an injustice that keeps disabled Veterans from receiving full military benefits.

Currently, at least 42,000 military retirees with combat-related injuries qualify for medical retirement pay for their service from the Department of Defense (DoD) and disability compensation for injuries connected to their service from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). However, for retired veterans with less than 20 years of service, their disability pay is deducted from their retirement pay. The Major Richard Star Act would repeal this unfair offset, allowing disabled veterans to receive both their retirement pay and their disability compensation.

“Utah is home to over 143,000 veterans, and it is unconscionable that any policy would deduct from the full military care and benefits they deserve,” said Rep. Owens. “I fully support the Major Richard Star Act because it reverses a longstanding roadblock for America’s disabled veterans to collect both retirement pay and disability compensation.”

The full bill text is available here.

###

Recent Posts

Sep 30, 2024
Greatest Hits

WATCH: OWENS Reacts To ICE Non-Detained Docket Release

Sep 27, 2024
Press

MEDIA ADVISORY: Owens to Host Annual Hispanic Heritage Congressional Recognition Ceremony

WEST JORDAN – On Monday, September 30, Rep. Burgess Owens (UT-04) will host the 2024 Hispanic Heritage Congressional Recognition Ceremony, his third annual event at the Utah State Capitol to honor 40 Utahns from across the Fourth District for their service to our communities.  What: 2024 Hispanic Heritage Congressional Recognition Ceremony When: 6:30 PM MT […]

Sep 25, 2024
Congress

House Committee Approves Owens’ Bill to Honor Sgt. Bill Hooser

WASHINGTON — The House Committee on Oversight and Reform passed legislation introduced by Congressman Burgess Owens (UT-04) to rename the Santaquin Post Office in honor of Sergeant Bill Dean Hooser of the Santaquin City Police Department, who was killed in the line of duty on May 5, 2024.  “Sgt. Bill Hooser made the ultimate sacrifice […]