US Federal House Bill HR1247

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/30/26
• Refer: 4/30/26

Caption

Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2102) to amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for concurrent receipt of veterans' disability compensation and retired pay for disability retirees with combat-related disabilities, and for other purposes.

Summary

H.R. 1247 is a House resolution that sets up floor consideration of H.R. 2102, the “Major Richard Star Act.” The resolution provides for debate, waives certain points of order, deems a substitute amendment adopted, and directs the Clerk to transmit the bill to the Senate after House passage. In practical terms, HR 1247 is a procedural measure that governs how the underlying veterans’ benefits bill will be considered in the House. The underlying bill would amend title 10 of the U.S. Code to expand concurrent receipt of veterans’ disability compensation and military retired pay for certain disability retirees with combat-related disabilities. Specifically, it would extend eligibility to some Chapter 61 disability retirees with fewer than 20 years of creditable service who are eligible for combat-related special compensation, so that their retired pay would not be reduced under the offset rules tied to veterans’ disability compensation. The bill also makes conforming changes to the statutory framework governing concurrent receipt and sets an effective date beginning the first day of the first month after enactment.

Impact

Because H.R. 1247 is a rules resolution, it does not itself change state law or federal benefits law; instead, it facilitates House action on H.R. 2102. The substantive impact would come from H.R. 2102, which would alter federal military retirement and veterans’ compensation statutes in title 10 and related offset provisions by allowing certain combat-related disability retirees to receive both retired pay and VA disability compensation without reduction. The affected parties are disabled veterans, especially Chapter 61 retirees with less than 20 years of service and combat-related disabilities, as well as the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs in administering payments.

Sentiment

The available context suggests generally favorable sentiment toward the underlying veterans’ benefits legislation, reflected in the effort to bring it to the floor and the discharge petition filed by Mr. Takano. The bill title and structure indicate support for expanding benefits to combat-injured veterans, and there is no recorded committee opposition or vote history in the provided materials. Overall, the measure appears to be framed as a bipartisan or broadly sympathetic veterans’ issue rather than a controversial policy change.

Contention

The main point of contention is procedural rather than substantive: H.R. 1247 is a rules measure used to advance H.R. 2102, and the discharge petition indicates that sponsors sought to force floor consideration, suggesting some resistance or delay in the normal legislative process. Any substantive debate would likely center on the cost and scope of expanding concurrent receipt, particularly whether to extend full concurrent benefits to disability retirees with fewer than 20 years of service. Supporters would emphasize fairness to combat-injured veterans, while skeptics may focus on budgetary effects and the precedent of broadening retirement offsets.