To ensure this question is answered, I need all of you on X and FB to copy this petition update link and tag Senator Wicker, Stars and Stripes and Task and Purpose. We flexed our veteran might when the VA wanted to make changes to ratings based on meds, this is our opportunity to double tap for the Major Richard Star Act by asking Senator Wicker and all other Major Richard Star Act non-cosponsors this basic economic question: https://x.com/54KVeterans/status/2026829955766825418
The $87 Million Question for Senator Wicker and Non Cosponsors:
Senator Wicker (@senatorwicker) says we can't afford the #MajorStarAct. He needs to explain this math:
Every single week, $87,000,000 in aid is sent to Afghanistan—a region controlled by the Taliban. In that same 7-day window, that exact amount of capital could permanently settle the annual pension debt for medically retired heroes in 21 different states.
1 Week of Funding = 1 Year of Justice for 21 States:
- North Dakota: $1,094,400
- Wyoming: $1,382,400
- Rhode Island: $1,598,400
- Delaware: $1,771,200
- Vermont: $1,886,400
- South Dakota: $2,001,600
- New Hampshire: $2,836,800
- Connecticut: $3,456,000
- Nebraska: $3,542,400
- Alaska: $3,902,400
- Montana: $4,060,800
- Hawaii: $4,262,400
- Maine: $4,276,800
- West Virginia: $4,449,600
- Utah: $5,515,200
- New Mexico: $6,249,600
- Idaho: $6,264,000
- Nevada: $6,379,200
- Iowa: $6,624,000
- Massachusetts: $6,768,000
- New Jersey: $7,574,400
TOTAL: $85,896,000 (with $1.1M still left over)
The 11-Week Solution
Senator Wicker claims the bill is an "unaffordable entitlement" with a $9.7 billion 10-year price tag. The Reality: Just 11 weeks of the current weekly aid sent abroad would cover the entire 1 year cost of the Major Richard Star Act for all 50 states.
We aren't asking for a "double benefit"; we are asking for the government to stop taxing the disability of 54,000 combat-wounded veterans to balance the budget.
The math is clear: If we can afford 11 weeks of aid for a regime that hates us, we can afford a decade of dignity for the men and women who bled for us.
Keep fighting like hell brothers and sisters. Make your State Senators and Reps answer this $87M question before 2026 Midterm Elections. Why are you funding the Taliban on the backs of Combat Injured Vets?
Stay Strong. Stay Vocal. Maximize Your 1A rights to the fullest extent.
Respectfully,
Shane Junkert, Senior Chief, USN (Ret)