The bipartisan Take Care of America's Veterans Act combines more than 60 veteran-focused measures, including the Major Richard Star Act, survivor benefit reforms, expanded disability compensation, and VA modernization initiatives ahead of America's 250th anniversary.
WASHINGTON | Congressional leaders have unveiled one of the most ambitious veterans legislative packages in recent memory, combining more than 60 bipartisan bills into a single measure that could significantly expand benefits, strengthen support for military survivors, modernize Department of Veterans Affairs services, and address long-standing compensation inequities affecting tens of thousands of veterans.
The proposed legislation, titled the Take Care of America's Veterans Act (H.R. 9237), represents months of negotiations between House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee leaders and is being positioned as Congress's signature veterans initiative ahead of the nation's semiquincentennial celebration in 2026.
If enacted, the legislation would impact combat-injured retirees, Gold Star families, surviving spouses, catastrophically disabled veterans, military caregivers, and millions of veterans who rely on VA healthcare and benefits programs.
"This legislation represents our nation's sacred promise to those who serve and those they leave behind," said Bonnie Carroll, founder and president of the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS).
MILITARY RETIREMENT REFORM TAKES CENTER STAGE
One of the most consequential provisions is the long-debated Major Richard Star Act, legislation supported by numerous veterans service organizations and military advocacy groups.
The measure would allow approximately 54,000 combat-injured veterans who were medically retired before completing 20 years of military service to receive both military retirement pay and VA disability compensation without offsets that currently reduce retirement income.
Advocates have argued for years that the existing policy unfairly penalizes service members whose military careers ended prematurely because of combat-related injuries.
The legislation is named in honor of Army Major Richard Star, a decorated combat veteran who became a leading advocate for reform before his death from cancer in 2021.
Supporters view the measure as one of the most significant military compensation reforms under consideration by Congress.
EXPANDED SUPPORT FOR GOLD STAR FAMILIES
The package also includes several provisions aimed at strengthening financial security for surviving military families.
Among them is the Love Lives On Act, legislation designed to eliminate what advocates commonly call the "remarriage penalty."
Current law can result in surviving spouses losing certain federal survivor benefits if they remarry before age 55.
The proposed legislation would allow surviving spouses to remarry without forfeiting key benefits, including Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) payments.
"TAPS believes that surviving spouses of fallen service members should not have to choose between another chance at love, a stable home life for their children, and financial security," Carroll said.
The bill would also increase DIC payments by an additional 3 percent over three years above standard cost-of-living adjustments and address gaps affecting survivors of veterans who died from service-connected ALS-related illnesses.
CATATROPHICALLY DISABLED VETERANS COULD RECEIVE ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION
The package incorporates the Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act, legislation aimed at increasing compensation for some of the nation's most severely disabled veterans.
The proposal would enhance support for veterans who require extensive attendant care because of catastrophic service-connected disabilities and expand assistance for surviving family members.
Rep. Tom Barrett, R-Mich., has argued that the measure reflects the nation's obligation to those who have endured the greatest sacrifices in military service.
"When we tell young people joining the military that we are asking them to make great sacrifices for us, there is an understanding that should something happen, our country will step in to take care of them or their surviving family," Barrett said.
VA MODERNIZATION AND COMMUNITY CARE REFORMS
Beyond compensation and survivor benefits, the legislation includes a broad range of VA modernization initiatives.
The reforms would seek to:
- Improve VA scheduling and appointment systems.
- Expand access to community care programs.
- Modernize VA information technology infrastructure.
- Increase access to VA-backed home loans.
- Improve claims processing and benefits delivery.
- Strengthen accountability and oversight mechanisms.
The reforms align closely with priorities identified by VA Secretary Doug Collins and House Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Mike Bost.
Collins recently reported that the VA reduced its disability claims backlog from more than 260,000 claims to fewer than 100,000 while continuing to process more than 3 million claims annually.
"The first thing we're going to do is put veterans first at the VA," Collins said.
Bost has similarly emphasized that federal programs must remain focused on veterans rather than administrative bureaucracy.
"These services are not there to protect the bureaucracy. They're there to provide services to the veteran," Bost said.
AMERICA250 AND A NEW COMMITMENT TO VETERANS
The timing of the legislation is significant.
As the nation prepares to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence, congressional leaders are framing the package as a reaffirmation of the country's commitment to veterans, military families, and survivors.
Supporters argue that honoring military service requires more than ceremonies and symbolic recognition.
Instead, they contend, meaningful support must include modern healthcare, financial security, survivor protections, and fair compensation for those who have borne the costs of military service.
The legislation now advances to the next phase of congressional consideration, where veterans groups, military advocacy organizations, and lawmakers will work to secure final passage.
If approved, the Take Care of America's Veterans Act could become one of the most significant veterans policy achievements of the current Congress and the largest expansion of veterans' benefits in years.
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