Rep. Raul Ruiz Pushes for Vote on Bill Expanding Benefits for Wounded Veterans

In Washington, D.C., Congressman Raul Ruiz joined fellow Riverside County Congressman Mark Takano to push for a House vote on the bipartisan Major Richard Star Act, legislation aimed at expanding benefits for combat-wounded veterans.

Under current federal law, some medically retired veterans lose a portion of their military retirement pay if they also receive disability compensation. Lawmakers say more than 54,000 veterans nationwide are affected, losing an average of $1,200 per month.

The proposed legislation would allow eligible injured veterans to receive both their disability compensation and military retirement benefits in full.

Ruiz said the bill would correct what he called a longstanding injustice for veterans forced into medical retirement due to service-related injuries.

Supporters of the measure say veterans earned both forms of compensation separately and should not be required to sacrifice one benefit to receive another.

Lawmakers are now using a discharge petition, a procedural tool that allows members of Congress to bypass House leadership and force a vote if enough representatives sign on.

Ruiz says the bill has strong bipartisan backing and believes it could advance quickly once the petition gains enough support.