To amend title 10, United States Code, to require biennial assessments on the nutrition standards of the military departments, and for other purposes.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 5189
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-09-08: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- Last Updated
- 2025-09-23T19:26:22Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
This bill aims to improve nutrition for U.S. military personnel by requiring regular evaluations of food standards in the armed forces and developing a plan to enhance access to healthy eating options on military bases. It addresses gaps identified in a recent government report on military food programs.
Key Provisions
- Biennial Assessments (New Section 489 of Title 10, U.S. Code):
- The Secretary of Defense must conduct assessments every two years of nutrition standards across each military department (Army, Navy, Air Force, etc.).
- These assessments review nutrition programs, policies, and how well they translate into actual food choices available to service members at military bases.
- Results must be reported to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees and published on a public Department of Defense (DoD) website.
- The first report is due by December 1, 2026.
- Plan to Increase Access to Nutritious Food:
- Within 180 days of the bill's enactment, the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness and the Under Secretary for Acquisition and Sustainment—working with the Assistant Secretary for Manpower and Reserve Affairs and other relevant DoD entities—must submit a joint plan.
- The plan follows recommendations from a June 24, 2024, Government Accountability Office (GAO) report titled "DOD Food Program: Additional Actions Needed to Implement, Oversee, and Evaluate Nutrition Efforts for Service Members" (GAO-24-106155).
- Key element: A strategy to expand healthy menu options at "non-appropriated fund food venues" on bases—these are food outlets (like snack bars or gyms) serving service members but funded by user fees or sales revenue, not taxpayer dollars.
- The plan must also be published on a public DoD website.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Adds a new section (489) to Chapter 23 of Title 10, U.S. Code, which governs military readiness and personnel matters; previously, there were no mandatory biennial nutrition assessments or required public reporting on this topic.
- Introduces the first formal, coordinated plan for improving nutritious food access on bases, directly responding to GAO-identified weaknesses in DoD's oversight and implementation of nutrition efforts.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Increases administrative workload for DoD components, including more frequent reporting to Congress and public transparency on nutrition policies. It promotes better coordination between DoD offices focused on personnel health and supply chain management.
- On Citizens (Service Members): Could lead to healthier food options on bases, potentially improving physical fitness, mental health, and overall readiness for military duties. This might reduce health issues linked to poor nutrition.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts; the bill focuses on domestic military operations.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Department of Defense and Military Departments: Responsible for conducting assessments, developing the plan, and implementing changes to food services.
- Service Members: Primary beneficiaries through improved access to nutritious food at bases.
- Congressional Committees: House and Senate Armed Services Committees receive reports and oversee compliance.
- Government Accountability Office (GAO): Indirectly influences via its report, which shapes the required plan.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens DoD accountability by mandating evidence-based evaluations and public disclosure, aligning with federal laws on military welfare (e.g., under Title 10). No conflicts with existing statutes; it builds on them without overriding appropriations or contracts.
- Constitutional: No significant issues; it falls under Congress's Article I powers to regulate the military and provide for its needs, promoting troop welfare without infringing on individual rights.
- Political: Encourages bipartisan focus on service member health and efficiency in DoD spending, potentially reducing future healthcare costs for veterans. It highlights GAO recommendations, emphasizing oversight of executive branch programs without partisan elements in the bill text.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2025-09-08: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- 2025-09-08: Introduced in House
- 2025-09-08: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- To amend title 10, United States Code, to require biennial assessments on the nutrition standards of the military departments, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-09-08 — PDF (4 pages)