24 HOURS: Congress Is About to Make Iran War Veterans Pay the Bill
24 HOURS.
We expect Republicans to try to force a vote on this injustice within the next 24 hours.
Some of you have been following this petition since September 2025, after Senator Wicker blocked the Major Richard Star Act.
What I am about to ask of you may sound like I now agree with him.
I do not.
We have exactly 24 hours to stop House Republicans from passing a watered-down version of the Major Richard Star Act that uses proposed tinnitus and sleep apnea VA rating cuts to help pay for it.
As a retired Navy Senior Chief, I cannot stomach gaining a couple hundred dollars a month on the backs of the men and women currently deployed in Iranian waters.
There is no price that will convince me to sell out the sailors and service members I mentored and brought up through the ranks, no matter how badly I need my own pension restored.
If you agree with me, I need you to take 30 seconds and make one phone call on behalf of the active-duty service members currently serving forward-deployed.
Congress is about to shortchange combat-injured veterans.
Before you make a call, understand what is happening.
Chairman Mike Bost and a handful of Republicans (RINOs) are pushing a bill called the Take Care of America's Veterans Act.
The name sounds great.
Most Americans would assume a bill called the Take Care of America's Veterans Act helps veterans.
That is exactly why people need to read beyond the title.
Supporters are telling veterans that the Major Richard Star Act is included inside the Take Care of America's Veterans Act.
What they are not telling you is that the language is different.
The original Major Richard Star Act is H.R. 2102.
The House discharge petition is H.Res. 1247.
Those are the bills combat-injured veterans have been fighting for.
The Take Care of America's Veterans Act is not the same bill.
It changes the language.
It changes the formula.
It changes the promise.
Most importantly, it uses future veterans' benefits as part of the pay-for.
Think about that for a second.
Congress is telling combat-injured veterans they finally deserve relief from the Wounded Warrior Tax.
Then Congress turns around and pays for it by reaching into the benefits of future veterans.
That means the Sailor sitting in the Persian Gulf tonight.
The Marine deployed overseas.
The Soldier standing watch.
The Airman exposed to blast injuries.
The service member who comes home with tinnitus, sleep apnea, respiratory conditions, traumatic brain injuries, or other service-connected disabilities.
Veterans should not pay for veterans.
That is why major veterans organizations oppose the Take Care of America's Veterans Act.
DAV National Commander Coleman Nee said it plainly in his June 10 statement:
“This is wrong and it must be stopped.”
“A grateful nation should never try to balance its budget on the backs” of those who served.
“DAV will not compromise our core mission.”
DAV also warns that this proposal could cut benefits for up to 1.5 million veterans and reduce future disability compensation by as much as $57 billion over 10 years.
The organization says reductions involving tinnitus and sleep apnea are being used as a “poison pill” to pay for other veterans’ legislation.
DAV explicitly rejects forcing future veterans to surrender benefits in order to fund promises already owed to current veterans.
The VFW is also sounding the alarm.
VFW National Commander Carol Whitmore said the organization strongly opposes the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act as currently drafted because it would force future disabled veterans to finance expanded benefits through changes to tinnitus and obstructive sleep apnea ratings.
“A grateful nation pays its debts to veterans; it does not send them the invoice.”
“Veterans’ benefits are an earned obligation of the nation.”
That is why 46 Senate Democrats submitted objections.
That is why veterans across the country are asking Congress to stop and allow a vote on the original Major Richard Star Act.
CALL REPUBLICAN OFFICES NOW!
We do not need 100 more Democrats.
211 Democrats have already signed the discharge petition.
2 Republicans have already signed.
Just 5 more Republican signatures on H.Res. 1247 can force a House vote on the original Major Richard Star Act and protect VA Ratings from TCAVA section 108 and 101 language.
The following Republican Members of Congress who have shown a willingness to challenge leadership when they believe leadership is wrong are our tourniquet .
Tell them:
“I support the original Major Richard Star Act, H.R. 2102. The Take Care of America’s Veterans Act is wrong. It is an injustice, and it is not the same Major Richard Star Act veterans have fought for over the last six years. Using future disabled veterans’ benefits to fund promises owed to today’s veterans is disgusting. The Representative should have no part in passing this bill as written. Veterans should not pay for veterans. I demand the Representative sign the H.Res. 1247 discharge petition, oppose TCAVA, and allow a vote on the clean bill. Please record my message and tell me whether the Representative will sign the discharge petition.”
If your Representative is not listed below:
Call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to be connected to your Republican Representative's office.
Or visit: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
ARIZONA
Andy Biggs — (202) 225-2635
Eli Crane — (202) 225-3361
David Schweikert — (202) 225-2190
FLORIDA
Anna Paulina Luna — (202) 225-5961
Greg Steube — (202) 225-5792
Randy Fine — (202) 225-0123
Kat Cammack — (202) 225-5744
Aaron Bean — (202) 225-0123
Byron Donalds — (202) 225-2536
TEXAS
Chip Roy — (202) 225-4236
Keith Self — (202) 225-3605
Michael Cloud — (202) 225-7742
TENNESSEE
Tim Burchett — (202) 225-5435
Diana Harshbarger — (202) 225-6356
ILLINOIS
Mary Miller — (202) 225-5271
CALIFORNIA
Tom McClintock — (202) 225-2511
ALABAMA
Barry Moore — (202) 225-2901
SOUTH CAROLINA
Ralph Norman — (202) 225-5501
PENNSYLVANIA
Scott Perry — (202) 225-5836
MISSOURI
Eric Burlison — (202) 225-6536
Bob Onder — (202) 225-4404
LOUISIANA
Clay Higgins — (202) 225-2031
MARYLAND
Andy Harris — (202) 225-5311
OHIO
Warren Davidson — (202) 225-6205
GEORGIA
Andrew Clyde — (202) 225-9893
COLORADO
Lauren Boebert — (202) 225-4761
WYOMING
Harriet Hageman — (202) 225-2311
OKLAHOMA
Josh Brecheen — (202) 225-2701
59,000 combat-injured veterans are counting on Congress to get this right.
Make the call.