To amend title 37, United States Code, to exclude the basic allowance for housing from the calculation of gross household income for purposes of the basic needs allowance for eligible members of the Armed Forces.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 5208
- 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
- 2026-06-23T17:17:54Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose The legislation aims to modify the income calculation used to determine eligibility for the basic needs allowance provided to certain eligible members of the U.S. Armed Forces. It specifically excludes the basic allowance for housing from gross household income.
Key Provisions
- Amends Section 402b(k)(1)(B) of title 37, United States Code.
- Removes existing language that limited the exclusion of housing allowances to specific cases or portions elected by the Secretary concerned.
- Replaces it with a direct exclusion for the basic allowance for housing paid to the member.
Significant Changes to Existing Law This bill expands the exclusion of the basic allowance for housing in gross household income calculations for the basic needs allowance. Previously, the exclusion was narrower and conditional; the amendment makes it broader and applies directly to the housing allowance received by the service member.
Potential Impacts
- May increase the number of eligible service members who qualify for the basic needs allowance by reducing their calculated gross household income.
- Could affect Department of Defense budgeting and administration of military pay and support programs.
- No apparent direct effects on international relations or non-military government agencies.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Eligible members of the Armed Forces and their households.
- The Department of Defense and military pay administrators.
- Congress, through its oversight of military compensation policies.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The change is a technical adjustment to military compensation statutes with no evident constitutional issues. It may influence future debates on military family support and pay equity but introduces no new legal frameworks or political mandates beyond the amendment itself.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (8)
Rep. Moore, Blake D. [R-UT-1], Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2], Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10], Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19], Rep. Goodlander, Maggie [D-NH-2], Rep. Jacobs, Sara [D-CA-51], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Vasquez, Gabe [D-NM-2]
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 37, United States Code, to exclude the basic allowance for housing from the calculation of gross household income for purposes of the basic needs allowance for eligible members of the Armed Forces. — issued 2025-09-08 — PDF (2 pages)