The VFW’s National Legislative Service in Washington tracks every bill that affects veterans, testifies before Congress, and lobbies on behalf of more than 1.3 million members of the VFW and its Auxiliary. Here is where three bills tied to the VFW’s 2026 Priority Goals stand.
The west front of the U.S. Capitol. (Architect of the Capitol, public domain)
Major Richard Star Act (H.R. 2102 / S. 1032)
This bill would let veterans with combat-related disabilities receive their military retirement pay without reduction at the same time as their VA disability compensation, including those with fewer than 20 years of service. Ending that offset is a VFW Priority Goal. Congress.gov lists 340 House cosponsors; the House sponsor is Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.). The bill is still in committee, but on September 15 a discharge petition reached the 218 signatures needed to force a House vote. It must sit on the House Calendar for seven legislative days, so a vote cannot come before members return in November.
GUARD VA Benefits Act (H.R. 1732)
“Claim sharks” are unaccredited companies that charge veterans for help with VA claims. This bill would reinstate penalties for charging veterans unauthorized fees for VA claims help. Cracking down on claim sharks is a VFW Priority Goal. Introduced by Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) in February 2025, it has 137 cosponsors and had a House committee hearing on March 18, 2026.
2027 compensation COLA (H.R. 8552 / S. 4487)
The Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2026, introduced by Rep. Morgan Luttrell of Texas, would raise VA disability compensation and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation on December 1, 2026, by the same percentage as the Social Security increase. A House subcommittee forwarded it to the full Veterans’ Affairs Committee by voice vote on June 30. Last year’s version became Public Law 119-42.
Make your voice heard
Call or write your U.S. representative and both Texas senators and ask where they stand on these bills. You can find your representative at house.gov. When you call, say you are a veteran and a VFW member.
VFW 2026 Priority Goals
- Budget: Fund veterans’ programs; oppose cuts to earned benefits.
- Disability & Memorial: Fix the claims process; stop claim sharks; toxic exposures.
- Education & Jobs: GI Bill, VR&E, homelessness, VA Home Loan.
- Health Care: Suicide prevention, community care, TBI and long-term care.
- Readiness: End the retirement-pay offset; quality of life.
- Security & POW/MIA: Fully fund DPAA’s recovery mission.
Sources: vfw.org National Legislative Service, “Our 2026 Priority Goals”; Congress.gov, H.R. 2102, H.R. 1732, and H.R. 8552 (119th Congress); House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Democrats news release, Sept. 16, 2026.