Why It Matters
Wounded Warrior Project Inc. lobbied for the Major Richard Star Act as the American Federation of Government Employees said Sept. 21 that lawmakers had secured enough signatures to force a House vote. The bill would let medically retired veterans with combat-related injuries receive both disability compensation and military retirement pay. AFGE said lawmakers had gathered enough signatures to force a House vote on the measure.
By the Numbers
The organization reported $630,000 in in-house lobbying expenses for the third quarter, its total across registrants. That was up $600,000 from the second quarter and up $270,000 from the third quarter of 2025.
The lobbying team included Brian Dempsey, government affairs director and a former House staffer, and Jose Ramos, vice president for government and community relations. The report was signed Oct. 27.
Broader Context
The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the House version of the Star Act, as amended for floor consideration, would increase direct spending by about $12.75 billion from 2027 through 2036. The Senate version was introduced and referred to the Senate Armed Services Committee on March 13, 2025. That referral placed the Senate measure before the committee for consideration, a separate step from House action.
The government employees union said it joined 21 other unions opposing the separate Take Care of America’s Veterans package, which Wounded Warrior Project reported lobbying to support. The organization described the package as addressing care, benefits, and support for certain combat-injured veterans, survivors, and caregivers.
The House passed the Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act of 2026 on May 21, and it was referred in the Senate on June 2. The organization supported the bill to increase special monthly compensation for veterans who need aid and attendance to live at home.
A House committee ordered the Blast Overpressure Research and Mitigation Task Force Act reported, as amended, on May 14. The committee action moves the bill toward potential floor consideration; it does not constitute House passage. The organization also supported the Precision Brain Health Research Act, which a budget office estimate says would expand Department of Veterans Affairs research, including on repetitive low-level blast exposure.
Other disclosed lobbying included support for measures addressing menopause care, disability claims involving military sexual trauma, adaptive vehicle grants, and mental health treatment access. The group also supported defense authorization legislation on topics including brain health, toxic exposure, and prosthetics research.
Access the Legis1 platform for comprehensive political news, data, and insights
Spot something wrong? Report an issue with this article
