Four key leaders of the House Armed Services Committee are pressing the administration to include more resources in the upcoming budget request to improve military family quality of life.

“[W]e write to encourage you to focus significantly more attention and resources in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Department of Defense Budget request to support the quality of life of our service members and their families,” a Feb. 16 letter reads. “Our efforts and forthcoming recommendations, expected in the FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), will focus on improving the daily lives of especially the most junior of our service members and their families.”

The letter is signed by Chair Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-Wash.) and the leaders of the committee’s Quality of Life Panel, Reps. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) and Chrissy Houlahan (D-Penn.).

The letter specifically mentions housing concerns, low pay, challenging access to medical care, child care worker shortages and military spouse unemployment.

“This is a large, costly undertaking, but it is our moral and national security imperative to support those who serve,” the lawmakers wrote.

Hear from the Leaders

Bacon and Houlahan will speak about the Quality of Life Panel’s findings at the Defense Communities National Summit in April. You can register now.

Navy photo of Houlahan, center, by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Amy Biller