Members of the House Armed Services Committee’s Military Quality of Life Panel urged the Senate Armed Services Committee to include their recommendations in the FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act.
The panel, led by U.S. Reps. Don Bacon (RNE) and Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), said erosions in the military quality of life. In a letter to U.S. Sens. Jack Reed (D-RI), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Roger Wicker (R-MS), the panel recommended several provisions be added to the defense spending to improve the lives of military members and their families.
“Too many of our servicemembers and military families are struggling and it’s not right,” Bacon said. “The House of Representatives takes these concerns seriously and developed concrete, bi-partisan solutions to fix these widespread deficiencies. I urge our colleagues in the Senate to work with us to include these recommendations in the final NDAA agreement.”
The panel recommended the Defense Authorization Act include adjustments to compensation to match the increased cost of living, improvements on housing quality, improved access to healthcare and childcare and increased funding for spousal support, including assistance in spousal employment.
“As veterans, Rep. Bacon and I understand that our national security is at its strongest when our brave men and women in uniform are cared for. Our military personnel and their families are facing unique challenges right now, and it’s our responsibility to deliver solutions,” Houlahan said. “The policies we’ve proposed to address the issues impacting service members’ quality of life focused on housing, childcare, compensation, health care, and spouse support programs must be included in the final NDAA to ensure our military forces can face our nation’s global challenges.”
Other members of the bipartisan Quality of Life panel include U.S. Reps. Mark Alford (R-MO), Jim Banks (R-IN), Donald G. Davis (D-NC), Veronica Escobar (D-TX), Sara Jacobs (D-CA), Jen A. Kiggins (R-VA), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Morgan Luttrell (R-TX), Nancy Mace (R-NC), James C. Moylan (R-Guam), and Marilyn Strickland (D-WA).