Dallas, Texas Jan 1, 2026 (Issuewire.com) - Texas is losing more than $103.8 million annually in economic activity due to a federal retirement offset that remains unresolved in the Senate. Following a procedural objection that halted the Major Richard Star Act in October, veterans advocates are now calling on Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn to back a new legislative vehicle, S.Amdt. 4056, to finally deliver relief to 7,213 local retirees.
The offset, which reduces military retired pay for combat-injured veterans who also receive disability compensation, drains approximately $8.65 million from the Texas economy every month.
The Cost of Inaction For the 7,213 affected Texas families, the legislative stalemate is not a theoretical loss—it is a tangible reduction of roughly $300 per week. This covers essentials such as groceries, fuel, prescriptions, and rent.
Senior Chief Shane Junkert, USN (Ret.), a decorated combat veteran who was raised in Texas, says the delay is unacceptable.
“Texans respect service and straight answers,” Junkert said. “Right now, 7,213 combat-injured Texans are getting neither.”
Texas’ Role in National Defense Advocates highlight that Texas is a cornerstone of U.S. military readiness. Fort Cavazos is one of the largest Army installations in the world, while Joint Base San Antonio anchors Air Force training and military medical readiness. Naval Air Station Corpus Christi and Fort Bliss are also critical to national defense.
“When Texas provides the bases, the training, and the deployments, Texas shouldn’t be told that combat-injured retirees must surrender the retirement they earned,” Junkert said. “This is kitchen-table money that keeps families stable.”
Media Coverage of the Senate Objection The stalled legislation has drawn significant media attention regarding the specific obstacle in the Senate. A recent report by WTVA9 News details the objection by Senator Roger Wicker that prevented the bill’s passage. The coverage also highlights the billboard campaign launched across the region by PassTheAct.org to raise awareness about the delay in allowing a vote.
Breaking the Gridlock On October 8, 2025, the Major Richard Star Act was poised to pass via unanimous consent until a single objection on the Senate floor halted the measure. This objection prevented a recorded vote.
Advocates emphasize that the objection rests on the argument that concurrent receipt is a "double benefit"—a claim strongly disputed by veterans' organizations. They note that military retired pay and VA disability compensation are separate entitlements: one for service rendered, the other for injuries sustained.
A Clear Choice for Texas Senators Supporters argue this moment represents a decisive accountability test for the Texas delegation. With the defense appropriations bill (H.R. 4016) moving forward, Senators Cruz and Cornyn face a direct choice: publicly support S.Amdt. 4056 to attach the fix to the must-pass defense bill, or allow the single objection from October to stand.
“If you represent Texas, you know there are 7,213 combat-injured retirees living with this offset,” Junkert said. “You know that’s more than $8.6 million a month and $300 a week per family not reaching Texas veterans or the Texas economy. Why are Texas senators letting a Mississippi chair decide this for their veterans?”
About 54KVeterans.org 54KVeterans.org is a grassroots coalition of combat-injured veterans dedicated to passing the Major Richard Star Act. The organization is led by Senior Chief Shane Junkert, USN (Ret.), a combat veteran who completed six deployments. Junkert leads the effort to restore full vested retirement pay for the 54,000 veterans currently subject to the Chapter 61 offset.
Media Contact
54k Veterans Shane@54Kveterans.org 817-771-3577 Barrigada, 489 Army Drive box 24130 http://54KVeterans.org
