Rodney Deflumeri

Today, I stood alongside 23 Veterans Service Organizations and the surviving brother of Major Richard Star in support of the Taking Care of America's Veterans Act, which is expected to be considered on the House Floor later this week. This bipartisan legislation includes key provisions of my Major Richard Star Act, bringing long-overdue justice to nearly 60,000 medically retired combat Veterans by restoring concurrent receipt of the retirement pay and disability benefits they earned through their service and sacrifice. While I remain committed to achieving full concurrent receipt for every disabled Veteran, this package represents a significant step forward and will provide meaningful, immediate relief to tens of thousands of our nation's heroes. In addition to the Richard Star provisions, the bill includes 59 other bipartisan measures that will strengthen benefits and services for Veterans, surviving spouses, caregivers, and military families. The urgency of passing this legislation has never been greater. Earlier today, the Department of Veterans Affairs advanced its rulemaking process to implement proposed changes to future disability ratings for tinnitus and sleep apnea - the very policies that serve as the funding mechanism for this legislative package. If those changes are implemented administratively rather than through Congress, the resulting savings will be diverted elsewhere instead of being reinvested in critical Veteran priorities. Congress has a clear opportunity to ensure those savings are used to fulfill our promises to those who have worn the uniform. The time to act is now. Our Veterans—and the families who have sacrificed alongside them—have waited far too long.