H.Res. 1247, the discharge petition for the Major Richard Star Act, is now ready to be signed.

As of today, it has 157 signatures, all from Democrats. We need 218 signatures to force this bill out of committee and toward a vote.

That means we need every possible Republican in the House to sign now.

There are roughly 330 House supporters on the Major Richard Star Act, yet the discharge petition is still short. That should make every combat injured veteran, military family, and voter ask one simple question:

Do you support the Major Richard Star Act only when it is politically convenient, or will you actually sign the petition that gives it a path to a vote?

This is not a messaging bill anymore. This is not a press release issue anymore. This is not a “thank you for your service” photo op anymore.

This is the moment members of Congress must put their name on the line.

We are in the heat of the 2026 midterm election cycle. Republicans are fighting to keep the House majority. If Republican members believe telling 54,000 combat injured veterans they are not worth a vote is a winning strategy, they are making a serious mistake.

A member of Congress can support veterans on camera all day long, but if they refuse to sign H.Res. 1247, they are helping keep the Major Richard Star Act trapped in committee.

That is the truth.

Combat injured veterans earned their retirement. They earned their VA disability. They should not be forced to give up one earned benefit because they were wounded before reaching 20 years.

Now we need petition signers, veterans, families, and supporters to act fast.

Use this VFW action tool to send an email directly to your representatives:

https://www.votervoice.net/VFW/Campaigns/137604/Respond

Then call your House member, especially if they are Republican or already listed as a supporter of the Major Richard Star Act.

Tell them:

Sign H.Res. 1247. Force the vote. Stop hiding behind committee process.

If they want veteran votes, military family votes, and patriotic voters in 2026, they need to prove it now.

No more excuses.

No more waiting.

No more using wounded veterans as campaign props while refusing to sign the one petition that can move this bill.

Sign H.Res. 1247. Get to 218. Pass the Major Richard Star Act.

For Social Media Post Copy and Paste: 

Please sign H.Res. 1247, the discharge petition for the Major Richard Star Act.

If you already cosponsored the Major Richard Star Act, then signing the discharge petition should be automatic. A cosponsorship means nothing if the bill stays trapped in committee.

There are 54,000 combat injured veterans waiting for Congress to restore the retirement pay they earned. In a midterm election year, refusing to give combat injured veterans a vote is not just wrong. It is politically indefensible. Please sign H.Res. 1247 immediately and help get this petition to 218 signatures.

STAY IN THE FIGHT! 

Best Regards, 

Shane Junkert

Senior Chief, USN (Ret)