North Austin News

WASHINGTON – Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX) has commended the House Armed Services Committee's Quality of Life Panel's bipartisan report, emphasizing the importance of improving U.S. servicemembers' quality of life.

“Our servicemembers selflessly signed up to defend our country. We must ensure that they have the proper resources to adequately care for themselves and their family,” said Rep. McCaul.

McCaul further highlighted the significance of quality of life in the recruitment and retention of troops, stating that it is vital for U.S. military readiness and national security. He expressed his support for the work done by the House Armed Services Committee’s Bipartisan Quality of Life Panel, stating, "I applaud the work done by the House Armed Services Committee’s Bipartisan Quality of Life Panel, and look forward to working with my colleagues to implement these important changes."

The report released by House Armed Services Committee Members Representatives Don Bacon (R-Neb.) and Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Quality-of-Life Panel, includes 31 policy recommendations for the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

Some of the highlights of the report include increasing basic pay for junior enlisted service members by 15 percent, ensuring adequate housing arrangements for service members, requiring the Department of Defense to cover 100 percent of the calculated rate for military housing, expanding access to proper healthcare for military personnel, and providing employment support to military spouses through the Military Spouse Career Accelerator Pilot. Additionally, the report aims to fully fund childcare fee assistance programs to eliminate fee assistance wait lists for eligible families.

For more details, the full report can be found [here](link) or one-pagers can be accessed [here](link).