54Kvets to America's Media: Are You Listening?

Washington, D.C, District of Columbia Oct 26, 2026 (Issuewire.com) - Since September 17, veterans have emailed congressional legislative staff while copying news outlets in all 50 states. Campaign records document:

• 77,915 House legislative staff TO contacts
• 18,023 Senate legislative staff TO contacts
• 122,010 news media CC contacts

That averages 5,735 recipient contacts daily. These figures represent recipient entries, not confirmed deliveries or readership.

Participants report no substantive responses.

America's media: Are you listening?

SEVEN YEARS FIGHTING TO END THE WOUNDED WARRIOR TAX

For seven years, combat-injured military retirees have sought passage of the standalone Major Richard Star Act to restore military retirement compensation offset by Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability payments.

Approximately 59,000 retirees are affected. The Congressional Budget Office estimated average additional compensation of $1,450 monthly, or $17,400 annually.

The legislation has 420 bipartisan House and Senate cosponsors. Its House discharge petition reached 218 signatures September 15, yet the bill remains unresolved.

Congressional leaders instead promote the Take Care of America's Veterans Act (TCAVA).

But TCAVA is not the standalone Major Richard Star Act. It uses a different retirement-restoration formula, changes certain VA home-loan fees, and proposes revisions to future VA disability evaluations.

"Veterans didn't spend seven years fighting for Congress to change the deal at the finish line," said Shane Junkert, a retired Navy Senior Chief, Chapter 61 combat-injured veteran, and 54Kvets leader. "Four hundred twenty lawmakers cosponsored the standalone Major Richard Star Act. If congressional leaders believe those votes aren't there anymore, show us who changed their position."

TCAVA IS NOT THE REAL MAJOR RICHARD STAR ACT

Three provisions warrant examination:

Section 101 -- Military Retirement: Introduces a "lesser of" calculation that could provide qualifying Chapter 61 retirees less than the standalone bill. Veterans want to know who receives less and by how much.

Section 104(b) -- VA Home Loans: Increases certain VA home-loan funding fees. Veterans question why added borrowing costs appear in legislation addressing the Wounded Warrior Tax.

Section 108 -- VA Disability Ratings: Proposes changes affecting future sleep apnea and tinnitus evaluations. Veterans question who proposed them, what evidence supports them, and how future claimants would be affected.

These are separate policy decisions extending beyond retirement restoration.

CONGRESSIONAL DECISIONS UNDER SCRUTINY

On June 23, Rep. Mark Takano proposed replacing TCAVA with the standalone Major Richard Star Act through a House Rules Committee amendment funded by proposed Department of Defense rescissions. Eight Republicans opposed it.

Veterans also question Senate unanimous-consent objections involving Senators Roger Wicker, Ron Johnson, Rand Paul, and Thom Tillis.

Rep. Victoria Spartz introduced separate retirement-restoration legislation one day after the discharge petition reached 218 signatures.

"These actions are public record," Junkert said. "At what point does the national press stop repeating congressional talking points and start examining the sequence of decisions?"

SIX QUESTIONS CONGRESS HAS NOT ANSWERED

• Project 2025: Did its VA proposals influence TCAVA Section 108 and changes to future sleep apnea and tinnitus ratings?
• Wounded Warrior Tax: Why does Section 101 use a different restoration formula? Which qualifying retirees would receive less?
• Discharge Petition: Why has the standalone bill not received a House vote after reaching 218 signatures?
• Alternative Legislation: Why did Rep. Victoria Spartz introduce another restoration bill immediately afterward?
• Congressional Support: What evidence supports claims that the bill cannot pass despite 420 bipartisan cosponsors? Which lawmakers withdrew support?
• Congressional Leadership: Why do Rep. Mike Bost and Senator Jerry Moran promote TCAVA instead of advancing the standalone bill?

Participants request on-the-record responses before November 3.

THE QUESTIONS NOW BELONG TO AMERICA'S PRESS

The standalone Major Richard Star Act has 420 bipartisan cosponsors and a House discharge petition with 218 signatures. TCAVA contains a different retirement calculation and provisions affecting VA home-loan fees and future disability evaluations.

54Kvets asks journalists to examine these differences, question congressional leadership, compare financial consequences, and explain why the standalone bill remains unresolved.

"Veterans have put the record in front of Congress and the press," Junkert concluded. "Now we want to know what answers the American public is going to hear."

217,948 documented recipient contacts. Six recurring legislative questions. No substantive answers reported.

America's media: Are you listening?

Media Contact

54kveterans (54Kvets)

[email protected]

817-771-3577

489 Army Drive box 24130

http://54KVeterans.org