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Congressional representatives

Bipartisan Bill Aims to Address Military Food Insecurity in the United States

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif) and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) have reintroduced the bipartisan, bicameral Military Food Security Act of 2025, aiming to alleviate food insecurity among military families. According to the Pentagon, 24% of active-duty servicemembers, or approximately 286,800 personnel, experienced food insecurity in 2020 and 2021. The bill seeks to exclude the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) from income calculations used to determine eligibility for the Basic Needs Allowance (BNA), removing an unintended barrier that prevents some military families from qualifying for food assistance.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Military Food Security Act of 2025 aims to address food insecurity among military families by modifying the Basic Needs Allowance (BNA) eligibility formula.
  • The Pentagon found that 24% of active-duty servicemembers, or approximately 286,800 personnel, experienced food insecurity in 2020 and 2021.
  • The Office of the Secretary of Defense partnered with the RAND Corporation to discover that 25.8% of personnel in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard were food insecure.
  • The bill excludes the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) from income calculations used to determine eligibility for the BNA.
  • Reps. Blake Moore (UT-1), Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Maggie Goodlander (NH-2), Jen Kiggans (VA-2), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), and Josh Riley (NY-19) joined Rep. Panetta in leading the legislation.
  • Earlier this year, Rep. Panetta led over 50 Members of Congress urging the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense to prioritize funding to combat food insecurity in the FY26 appropriations bill.

Statistics:

  • 24% of active-duty servicemembers experienced food insecurity in 2020 and 2021 (Pentagon).
  • 286,800 active-duty servicemembers experienced food insecurity in 2020 and 2021 (Pentagon).
  • 25.8% of personnel in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard were food insecure (Office of the Secretary of Defense and RAND Corporation).
  • 40,000 active-duty military personnel and veteran families served by the San Diego Food Bank every month.
  • 26% of U.S. military personnel experienced food insecurity in 2023 (Pentagon).

Sources:

  • United States House of Representatives
  • Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif)
  • Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)
  • Reps. Blake Moore (UT-1), Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Maggie Goodlander (NH-2), Jen Kiggans (VA-2), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), and Josh Riley (NY-19)
  • Office of the Secretary of Defense
  • RAND Corporation
  • San Diego Food Bank

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