Representatives from both parties in the House and Senate have reintroduced the Military Food Security Act of 2025, a bill aimed at improving access to food assistance for military families. The legislation would exclude the Basic Allowance for Housing from income calculations used to determine eligibility for the Basic Needs Allowance, removing what supporters say is an unintended barrier that prevents some military families from qualifying for help.
The bill is sponsored by Representatives Blake Moore (R-UT), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Marilyn Strickland (D-WA), Maggie Goodlander (D-NH), Jen Kiggans (R-VA), Sara Jacobs (D-CA), Josh Riley (D-NY) and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT).
“The Pentagon recently reported that nearly 26% of U.S. military personnel experienced food insecurity in 2023. No military member should have to choose between serving our country and providing food for their families,” Rep. Moore said. “That’s why I’m supporting bipartisan, common-sense legislation that widens eligibility for Basic Needs Allowance for our lower-enlisted servicemembers and ensures that more young families can support themselves in the early stages of military life.”
Rep. Panetta added, “Too many of our servicemembers and their families struggle to put food on the table because of outdated rules and red tape. Our bipartisan Military Food Security Act fixes the eligibility formula for food assistance so it reflects the real financial challenges military families face. We must ensure that no one who serves our country ever goes hungry.”
“Caring for servicemembers and their families is the foundation of military readiness. It is unacceptable that the men and women who serve our country worry about putting food on the table,” Rep. Strickland said. “I am proud to join my colleagues in re-introducing the Military Food Security Act to take care of military families at Joint Base Lewis-McChord and across the nation. We must uphold our end of the promise to our servicemembers and put an end to military hunger.”
“Food costs across America are sky-high, and America’s servicemembers are paying the price. Today, more than a quarter of people serving in our Armed Forces can’t afford to put the food they need on the table,” Rep. Goodlander said. “That’s not right. And that’s why I’m working to get this bipartisan bill signed into law.”
“As a Navy veteran, military spouse, and Mom of a servicemember, I know firsthand the sacrifices our military families make every day. It is unacceptable that so many of them are struggling with food insecurity,” Rep. Kiggans said. “The Military Food Security Act takes an important step toward fixing that problem by ensuring the Basic Needs Allowance truly reflects the financial realities our families face. We must do everything we can to support the men and women who serve, and the families who stand behind them.”
Rep. Jacobs stated: “The San Diego Food Bank already serves 40,000 active-duty military personnel and veteran families every month, and with grocery costs skyrocketing, that number will likely rise even more,” she said.“No one who has worn our country’s uniform should struggle to put food on the table and feed their families.That’s why I’m proud to help introduce the Military Food Security Act so we can alleviate military hunger and take care of those who’ve sacrificed so much for all of us.”
“If you’re willing to put on the uniform and fight for this country, you shouldn’t be fighting hunger at home,” Rep.Riley said.“I’m proud to help lead the Military Food Security Act because in Upstate New York,we show up for those who serve —and we don’t accept anything less.”
Senator Blumenthal commented,“Too many military families struggle to afford food—a betrayal ofthe tremendous sacrifices they makeforour nation.The Military Food Security Act removes outdated rulesand unnecessary obstacles preventingservicemembersfrom obtainingthe benefits they have earnedto help buy groceriesand make nutritious meals.This critical legislation ensures service memberscan stay mission-focused—defendingour nation—withoutthe added burdenof worrying how they’llputfoodon theirfamilies’ tables.”
Recent data from both Pentagon reports in 2020–21 as well as findings from RAND Corporation research indicate persistent levels of food insecurity among active duty personnel across all branches; about one-quarter report difficulties accessing enough healthy foods.
Blake Moore currently represents Utah’s 1st district in Congress after replacing Rob Bishop in 2021 https://www.congress.gov/member/blake-moore/M001216 . He was born in Ogden, Utah in 1980 https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/M001216 , lives in Salt Lake City https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/M001216 , graduated from University of Utah with a BA in 2005 https://www.utah.edu/ .
