[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 86 (Monday, May 22, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H2485-H2486]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IMPROVING MILITARY HOUSING

  (Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
the need for further transparency and accountability in military 
housing.
  The most critical asset in the defense of our Nation are the men and 
women who choose to serve. Therefore, our personnel and families 
deserve to have their most basic needs addressed, and this starts with 
housing.
  For several years now, military housing has been plagued with 
widespread complaints of neglect, unsafe conditions, and careless 
repairs.
  Recently, I introduced the Military Housing Transparency and 
Accountability Act, which would expand the assessment tool created in 
the 2020 NDAA to include all military housing, as well as enhancing the 
reporting requirements to ensure accountability.
  As an Army dad, I know firsthand the challenges our servicemen and 
women

[[Page H2486]]

face when finding safe and comfortable housing.
  They should feel confident if an issue arises it will be resolved and 
in a timely manner. This bipartisan bill is a step in the right 
direction and will improve transparency and oversight with the goal of 
fixing a system that has serious issues.

  Given the ongoing recruitment and retention challenges in our Armed 
Forces, ensuring adequate housing for servicemembers and their families 
is an important and necessary part of the solution.

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