Copyright: Felix Mizioznikov
Today the House passed the annual “National Defense Authorization Act,” rejecting a Department of Defense proposal to cut back the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH). The BAH is a core military benefit that compensates service members for their housing costs and a cut could jeopardize the continued success of the privatized military housing program.
NMHC/NAA circulated letters to both the House and Senate in support of the BAH. We will continue to raise awareness among lawmakers about the negative impacts of any reduction in military housing benefits.
The House broadly pushed back on the Obama Administration’s plans to roll back military pay and benefits, instead continuing to review comprehensive compensation recommendations made through the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission released earlier this year. Importantly, the Commission did not recommend any changes to the BAH or military housing programs.
The Pentagon continues to argue that to combat budget challenges it must confront rising personnel costs. The Senate has begun consideration of their version of the bill this week and is poised to move forward with a modest adjustment to the BAH for FY 2016.
