Louisiana Senate Bill SCR70

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Caption

CONGRESS: Memorializes Congress and the administration of United States President Donald Trump to pass the Major Richard Star Act.

Summary

SCR 70 is a concurrent resolution that memorializes the United States Congress and the Trump administration to enact the Major Richard Star Act. The resolution urges federal action to allow combat-wounded, medically retired service members to receive both military retirement pay and Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation without the current dollar-for-dollar offset. It frames the measure as a matter of fairness to veterans who have suffered combat-related injuries and earned both benefits through service and sacrifice. The resolution explains that the existing federal offset prevents roughly 50,000 medically retired combat-injured veterans from receiving full concurrent benefits. It highlights the story of Major Richard Star as a symbol of the issue and notes that the federal bill has bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress, but remains stalled in committee. SCR 70 also directs that copies of the resolution be sent to federal officials and Louisiana’s congressional delegation.

Impact

SCR 70 does not change Louisiana statutory law or create state-level benefits; instead, it is a formal legislative appeal to federal lawmakers. Its practical effect is to add Louisiana’s official support to the push for the Major Richard Star Act, which would amend federal veterans’ benefit rules to eliminate the offset between military retirement pay and VA disability compensation for certain combat-wounded, medically retired service members. The resolution affects veterans, military retirees, and their families by advocating for full concurrent receipt of earned benefits.

Sentiment

The sentiment around SCR 70 is strongly supportive and sympathetic toward combat-injured veterans. The resolution’s findings describe the current federal offset as unjust and emphasize disappointment that Congress has not yet acted. The bill text also points to bipartisan support in the Louisiana congressional delegation and in Congress generally, suggesting broad agreement on the underlying goal even though the federal legislation has not advanced.

Contention

There is little direct contention within the Louisiana resolution itself, because it is a memorializing measure rather than a policy bill. The main point of dispute is the underlying federal issue: whether combat-wounded, medically retired veterans should receive both retirement pay and disability compensation without offset. Supporters argue the offset unfairly denies earned benefits, while the resolution implies that federal inaction is the obstacle. The bill also references the federal legislation’s stalled status in committee, indicating that the controversy lies more in congressional delay and fiscal-policy implications than in Louisiana legislative disagreement.