WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee’s military Quality of Life Panel, highlighted the work of the bipartisan panel ahead of the January 31 hearing with Senior Enlisted Leaders from every service branch. Created in June of last year, the military Quality of Life Panel has held seven briefing-style events to date in order to understand various issues facing military personnel and their families. Representative Don Bacon (R-NE) chairs the panel.

“The work of this panel is far from over, but I’m incredibly heartened by our progress thus far,” said Houlahan. “As veterans, Rep. Bacon and I both understand that our national security is at its strongest when our brave men and women in uniform are taken care of. Our military personnel and their families are facing unique challenges right now, and it’s our responsibility to deliver solutions. In the weeks and months ahead, we will make recommendations to address the issues impacting service members’ quality of life, primarily focused on five pillars: housing, child care, compensation, healthcare, and spouse support programs.”

Background:

On June 14, 2023, the Quality of Life Panel was established within the House Armed Services Committee (HASC). The announcement shared that the “panel will provide a written report to the Military Personnel Subcommittee Chair and Ranking Member, which will include recommended proposals for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).”

Following the panel’s creation, the group has held seven briefing-style events detailed below:

• Senior Department of Defense Officials: On July 18, 2023, the panel hosted a discussion with Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks, Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Ashish Vazirani, and Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Radha Plumb. Topics included spousal employment, child care, housing, compensation and healthcare.
• Military Service Organizations: On July 26, 2024, the panel held a roundtable with Blue Star Families, The Military Family Advisory Network, the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), and the National Military Families Association. Topics included military readiness, recruitment, child care, housing and health care.
• Military Spouses: On September 14, 2023, the panel held a roundtable with military spouses to discuss the quality of life issues they face, including spouse employment and support programs, child care, compensation, housing, and access to health care. 
• Military Housing: On September 27, 2023, the panel received testimony from the Government Accountability Office, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Housing, & Partnerships Ms. Carla Coulson, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Naby for Energy, Installations, & Environment Mr. Robert E. Thompson, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations Mr. Robert  E. Moriarty. Topics included unaccompanied military housing and military housing privatization initiatives. Rep. Houlahan was unable to attend, but her opening statement as prepared can be found here.
• Military Compensation and Benefits: On October 18, 2023, Rep. Houlahan and Rep. Bacon received a briefing from the Department of Defense (DOD) regarding the ongoing 14th Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation (QRMC). The review, set to be completed by January 31, 2025, will focus on compensation and benefits, and military basic pay.
• Child Care Services: On November 29, 2023, the panel received briefings from child and youth services representatives from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, and the U.S. Space Force. Topics included child and youth programs, child care services, and future initiatives.
• Military Health Care: On December 5, 2023, the panel heard from DOD leadership on issues related to accessing military healthcare. Briefers included Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Dr. Lester Martinez-Lopez and Director of the Defense Health Agency Lt. General Telita Crosland. Topics included accessible and quality health care and wait times.

The majority of the events to date were closed press. The January 31 hearing with Senior Enlisted Leaders will be open to the public and livestreamed here.

ICYMI: Read some of the Quality of Life Panel coverage featured in Military Times, Roll Call, and Military.com.

Houlahan is an Air Force veteran, an engineer, a serial entrepreneur, an educator, and a nonprofit leader. She represents Pennsylvania’s 6th Congressional District, which encompasses Chester County and southern Berks County. She serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. She is the recipient of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Abraham Lincoln Leadership for America Award which “recognizes members who demonstrate the bipartisan leadership and constructive governing necessary to move our country forward” and the Congressional Management Foundation’s 2022 Democracy Award for best Constituent Services in Congress.

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