Mark Takano said Congress should break apart the House GOP veterans bill delay and move the Major Richard Star Act and other bipartisan veterans bills individually if lawmakers cannot agree on how to pay for the package. The dispute has stalled the Taking Care of America’s Veterans Act, which supporters say is the best chance in years to pass more than 60 veterans bills.
Takano and the 60-bill package
Takano told Military Times on Wednesday that Congress should abandon the omnibus package if the funding mechanism cannot be settled. He said, "If Congress cannot reach agreement on the funding mechanism, I think we can pursue each of these provisions individually."
The legislation includes the Major Richard Star Act and the Love Lives On Act, along with expanded caregiver support, survivor benefits, community care improvements, education reforms and mental health initiatives. Takano said, "We don’t need to know the pay-for at the outset," adding, "That could be subject to negotiations."
Jerry Moran and projected savings
Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Jerry Moran defended the legislation and said it takes no benefit away from anyone who is already receiving those benefits. He told Military.com that VA had indicated it planned to update the disability rating criteria for tinnitus or obstructive sleep apnea, and he argued Congress should direct the projected savings into veterans programs rather than let the money return to the broader federal budget.
Moran said, "It takes no benefit away from anyone who is receiving those benefits," referring to veterans already receiving VA disability compensation for tinnitus or obstructive sleep apnea. He also said, "If we don’t get out ahead of that business," the reduction in spending "will not be used for veterans."
Carol Whitmore at the hearing
Veterans of Foreign Wars National Commander Carol Whitmore rejected using projected savings from future disability rating changes to finance new veterans benefits. During a joint hearing of the House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees, she said, "When some suggest that veterans’ benefits are too expensive, let us be clear: This is the cost of war,"
The Major Richard Star Act would allow certain combat-injured medically retired service members to receive both military retired pay and VA disability compensation without the dollar-for-dollar deduction. Congress has repeatedly failed to advance it because lawmakers have been unable to agree on a funding offset.
Takano said, "I believe the Major Richard Star Act would pass in a heartbeat." Whether Congress splits the package, keeps it together, or finds another offset now turns on the funding mechanism, and the unresolved fight decides whether the Major Richard Star Act moves on its own or stays trapped inside the larger bill.
