Commissary Healthy Options and servicemember Welfare (CHOW) Act
- Bill Number
- S. 2772
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-09-11: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
- Last Updated
- 2026-01-22T15:24:38Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose The legislation authorizes the Secretary of Defense to establish a pilot program that issues coupons to junior enlisted service members for purchasing food at military commissaries, with the goal of improving access to affordable and nutritious options, particularly for those living in unaccompanied housing.
Key Provisions
- Sense of Congress: Emphasizes the need for affordable, healthy food access for service members and families, highlighting challenges faced by unaccompanied junior enlisted members in government quarters.
- Pilot Program Structure: The Secretary may run the program at up to two military installations, selected based on factors such as high numbers of enlisted personnel in unaccompanied housing, low dining facility usage or satisfaction, and commissary proximity to housing.
- Coupon Details: The Secretary determines coupon amounts; coupons are limited to food purchases (excluding alcohol, tobacco, and certain deposit fees) and must supplement, not replace, existing basic allowance for subsistence or meal programs.
- Duration and Reporting: The program ends no later than one year after it begins; the Secretary must submit a detailed report to congressional defense committees within 90 days of termination, covering usage, member feedback, effects on commissary and dining facility rates, and impacts on food insecurity and nutrition.
- Definitions: Clarifies terms including "coupon," "food," and "congressional defense committees."
Significant Changes to Existing Law This bill introduces a new, time-limited pilot authority under the Department of Defense rather than amending permanent statutes. It does not alter the basic allowance for subsistence or existing meal programs but creates a supplementary mechanism for commissary purchases.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Requires the Department of Defense to select sites, administer coupons, track data, and produce a congressional report, potentially increasing administrative workload at participating installations.
- Citizens/Service Members: May improve food access and nutrition for junior enlisted members while testing effects on dining facility usage.
- International Relations: No direct effects identified.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Junior enlisted members of the Armed Forces, especially those in unaccompanied housing.
- The Department of Defense and military installation commissaries and dining facilities.
- Congressional defense committees, which receive the required evaluation report.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The bill raises no apparent constitutional concerns and operates within existing congressional authority over military pay and benefits. It reflects a policy focus on addressing food insecurity among service members through targeted, temporary testing rather than broad statutory changes.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Sen. Warnock, Raphael G. [D-GA]
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2025-09-11: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
- 2025-09-11: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Commissary Healthy Options and servicemember Welfare (CHOW) Act — issued 2025-09-11 — PDF (7 pages)