The Pennsylvania state Senate has unanimously adopted a measure put forward by Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33) that calls on Congress to support federal benefits for military veterans. This measure, known as State Senate Resolution 116, urges Congress to back the federal Major Richard Star Act (HR 2102). The act would enable all medically retired service members to receive both their full retirement pay and disability benefits, even if they have not completed 20 years of service.
Under current federal law, only those who retire with at least 20 years of service can receive both Department of Defense retirement pay and Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation without any offset. Other retirees face a dollar-for-dollar reduction in these benefits.
Senator Mastriano emphasized the importance of this resolution, stating: “Regardless of their years of service, our servicemen and women who are medically retired and have a disability deserve to have access to their full retirement and disability benefits which serve as an essential financial asset with the physical and mental limitations they may face.” He added, “We owe this to our former soldiers who put their lives on the line day in and day out defending our freedom.”
Mastriano currently chairs the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee.
