Hello and welcome back to the Operation T.A.G. blog. We are so glad you are here with us today. If you have been following our mission, you know that we are dedicated to more than just words. We believe in providing a Tangible Act of Gratitude to those who have served our country. Today, we have a very urgent update regarding a critical piece of legislation that affects thousands of our nation’s heroes.
We previously spoke about the Major Richard Star Act (H.R. 2102). This bill is designed to end what many call the "Wounded Warrior Tax." Right now, we are in the final stretch of a long-fought battle. Your voice is the missing piece of the puzzle. This month, June 2026, is the moment of truth. We need you to take action today.
What is the Wounded Warrior Tax?
It sounds unbelievable, but many of our combat-injured veterans are currently being penalized for their service. Under current law, veterans who are medically retired with fewer than 20 years of service must have their Department of Defense (DoD) retirement pay reduced by the amount of VA disability compensation they receive.
This is known as an "offset." In simpler terms, it is a tax on their sacrifice. These veterans earned their retirement through their years of service, and they were awarded disability pay because of injuries sustained in combat. They should not have to choose one or the other. They earned both. The Major Richard Star Act aims to eliminate this unfair offset and ensure these heroes receive every penny they are owed.
The State of the Major Richard Star Act (H.R. 2102)
The support for this bill is historic. As of early June 2026, the Major Richard Star Act has over 330 bipartisan co-sponsors in the House of Representatives. In a divided political landscape, that number is staggering. It means that more than three-quarters of the House agrees that this tax must end.
However, despite this overwhelming support, the bill is still being held up. Leadership has not yet brought it to the floor for a final vote. This is where the "Discharge Petition" comes in. A discharge petition is a way for a majority of House members to bypass leadership and force a bill to the floor for a vote.
The Numbers You Need to Know
To force this vote, the discharge petition needs 218 signatures.
As of June 8, 2026, the petition has 203 signatures.
We are only 15 signatures away from forcing a vote that could change the lives of over 50,000 combat-wounded veterans. Representatives Raul Ruiz and Mark Takano are leading a major push this month to get those final 15 signatures. This is the closest we have ever been. We cannot let this momentum fade away.
Why We Need Your Help Today
Politicians respond to their constituents. If a member of Congress hears from enough voters in their district, they will listen. We need the members of the House who have not yet signed the discharge petition to feel the pressure from the people they represent.
Even if your representative has already co-sponsored the bill, they may not have signed the petition to force the vote. We need them to take that final step.
How to Find Your Representative
It only takes a minute to make your voice heard. Follow these simple steps:
- Visit the official House website: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
- Enter your zip code in the search box.
- Find your representative’s phone number and call their office.
- Tell them: "I am a constituent, and I am calling to urge Representative [Name] to sign the Discharge Petition for the Major Richard Star Act (H.R. 2102) today. It is time to end the Wounded Warrior Tax."
This is a direct and simple way to serve those who served us. It is a Tangible Act of Gratitude that doesn't cost a dime but means the world to our veterans.
Our Mission at Operation T.A.G.
At Operation T.A.G. (Tangible Act of Gratitude), we are a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting military families. While we fight for legislative changes like the Major Richard Star Act, we also work every day to provide direct financial support through our flagship program, the Hometown Hero Credit.
The Hometown Hero Credit is a non-profit program of Operation T.A.G., a 501(c)(3) project of the High Desert Community Foundation. We created this program because saying "Thank you for your service" is not enough. We want to help military families build a legacy.
Understanding the 2% Hometown Hero Credit
The Hometown Hero Credit provides military families with a 2% credit up to $21,000 to help them purchase or refinance a home. This is not a loan, and there is no repayment required. It is a gift of gratitude.
Here is how the 2% credit up to $21,000 works:
- Who is it for? Active duty military members, reservists, veterans with an honorable discharge, and Gold Star spouses.
- How much is it? The credit is calculated as 2% of the total loan amount, up to a maximum of $21,000.
- What can it be used for? It can be applied to pay closing fees, buy down the interest rate, pay real estate agent fees, or in some cases, pay down debt to help with VA loan qualification.
- What can it NOT be used for? It cannot be used for down payments or for non-loan purposes.
- Why does it matter? Since VA loans generally do not require a down payment, this 2% credit can often cover most or all of the costs associated with getting into a home, making homeownership much more accessible.
There are no games and no gimmicks. It is not limited to first-time buyers. We believe that if you have served our country, you deserve a home of your own without being burdened by excessive closing costs.
Join the Movement
We are calling on all of our readers, partners, and real estate agent ambassadors to join us in this final push. This is about more than just a bill; it is about the integrity of our promises to those who have sacrificed their physical health for our freedom.
The government has a responsibility to do its part by passing the Major Richard Star Act. We will continue to do our part by providing the Hometown Hero Credit and the 2% credit up to $21,000 to help our families find stability and a place to call home.
Take Action Now
- Call your representative. Use the Find Your Representative tool and tell them to sign the discharge petition for H.R. 2102.
- Share this post. Education is the first step toward action. Let your friends and family know about the Wounded Warrior Tax.
- Learn more about the credit. If you or someone you know is looking to buy or refinance a home, visit www.HometownHeroCredit.com to see how the 2% credit up to $21,000 can help.
We are in the home stretch. Let’s make those final 15 signatures happen this month. Thank you for being a part of this mission and for your continued support of our military families.
Brett Stacy
National Director & Founder of the Hometown Hero Credit,
A program of Operation T.A.G. (Tangible Act of Gratitude),
and 501(c)(3) non-profit project of HDCF.
Websites: www.OperationTAG.org and www.HometownHeroCredit.com
Phone: 760-456-8748 (24-hour Information Line)
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