[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 73 (Thursday, May 24, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E922-E923]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        STATEMENT OF INTRODUCTION FOR BAH REDUCTION LEGISLATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. WALTER B. JONES

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 24, 2001

  Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce 
legislation aimed at improving the quality of life for our military 
personnel.
  Last Year, Congress began funding an important Department of Defense 
initiative to reduce the out-of-pocket housing costs for service 
members residing in off-base housing. That program envisioned 
decreasing the out-of-pocket costs from almost 18.9 percent of housing 
costs incurred by our servicemen and women in 2000 down to zero in 
2005. The average E-6 will receive about $175 more a month in BAH by 
2005, while the average E-4 will receive about $111 more, allowing them 
to seek better housing options.
  This is a great initiative that will have real benefits for almost 
750,000 military personnel. However, I believe that we can and should 
do more.
  Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Installations Randall Yim 
recently testified before the House Military Construction 
Appropriations Subcommittee that up to 60 percent of all DoD housing is 
substandard. Two-thirds of this inventory is over 30 years old and 
requires a substantial annual investment to meet the maintenance 
requirements. In the barracks, over 50 percent of the inventory is over 
30 years old. While we are taking many steps to eliminate this 
substandard housing through increased funding and several privatization 
initiatives, it will still be 2010 before most services have eliminated 
their poor quality housing--2014 for at least one service.
  Our men and women in uniform risk their lives to protect the freedoms 
that we enjoy today. We owe it to those servicemen and women, and their 
families, to do everything we can to improve their living conditions.
  It is for that reason, that I am introducing this legislation today. 
The legislation is very simple. Rather than waiting five years to buy 
down the out-of-pocket housing costs of our military personnel, this 
legislation would reduce out-of-pockets to 7.5 percent by the end of 
2002, and zero by the end of 2003. By more rapidly reducing the costs 
associated with living off-base, more of our military personnel will be 
able to move into quality housing for them and their families.
  I urge my colleague to join me in supporting this important 
legislation to improve the standard of living for those bravely serving 
in our Armed Forces.

[[Page E923]]



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