Oklahoma City Fiscal Report Shared with Senator Markwayne Mullin Highlights Veteran Income Loss

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Jan 9, 2026 (Issuewire.com) 54kVeterans.org has sent a new public update to the office of Senator Markwayne Mullin. This update uses the January 2026 report on Oklahoma veterans to highlight economic data related to the Major Richard Star Act and its impact on Oklahoma communities.

The report looks at the Major Richard Star Act. This bill restores pensions reduced by the VA offset for combat-injured veterans. This includes veterans with combat-related sicknesses, such as cancer from burn pit exposure, and those forced to retire before reaching 20 years of service due to their injuries or illness.

Currently, this rule takes $13.7 million per year out of the local economy. The report contextualizes this impact by comparing it with other forms of federal economic support previously provided within Oklahoma.

Economic Impact Overview

Under current law, these veterans have their retirement pay reduced. For every dollar of disability pay they get, the government takes away one dollar of retirement pay.

In Oklahoma, this rule applies to 951 combat-injured retirees. The total loss is $13.7 million per year, or about $300 a week per family. The report notes that restoring this income would result in sustained monthly household spending across local grocery stores, fuel stations, and housing markets.

Contextual Reference to Federal Business Support

The report references the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) as an example of prior federal economic relief provided to Oklahoma businesses. Publicly available records indicate that Mullin Plumbing (Mullin, Inc.), a business serving the Oklahoma City area, received PPP loans during the COVID-19 period that were later forgiven.

The report presents this comparison to illustrate differing forms of federal economic intervention, noting that while PPP relief was temporary, restoration of veteran retirement pay would represent a recurring economic contribution to local communities.

• Data Source: The Frontier Oklahoma Businesses Received Coronavirus Aid

State-Level Veteran Support Developments

Veterans in Oklahoma have also experienced recent changes at the state level. In January 2026, the National Association for Black Veterans (NABVETS) office in Oklahoma City closed following state funding reductions.

This office assisted veterans with disability claims. The closure reduces available support resources for veterans navigating claims processes and may contribute to longer processing timelines.

• Verification: KOCO News 5 Funding Cuts Force Closure of Veteran Nonprofit

Legislative Background

The stalled legislation has drawn media attention regarding Senate procedure. A report by WTVA9 News details an objection by Senator Roger Wicker that prevented the Major Richard Star Act from advancing. The coverage also references public awareness efforts by PassTheAct.org.

• Legislative Record: WTVA9 News Coverage of Senate Objection

https://youtu.be/zMYuPw4ELTA?si=2rVShtLFoQ584Sy

Statement from 54kVeterans.org

"That missing $300 a week represents essential household expenses for veteran families," said Senior Chief Shane Junkert, USN (Ret.) of 54kVeterans.org. "We don't need typical politics right now. We need the same fighter energy Senator Mullin showed in his previous career to turn toward the bureaucracy taking this money from Oklahoma's combat injured veterans."

About 54kVeterans.org

54kVeterans.org is a grassroots coalition of combat-injured veterans focused on data analysis and public awareness related to the Major Richard Star Act and the retirement pay offset affecting medically retired veterans.