U.S. Representative Don Bacon (R-NE), Chairman of the Quality of Life Panel, delivered the following opening remarks at a Quality of Life Panel hearing on the current state of unaccompanied military housing.
Rep. Bacon's remarks as prepared for delivery:
I want to thank our witnesses for being with us today. I hope this hearing provides an opportunity for our Members to have a productive exchange with our witnesses and provide answers to their questions.
Today, we are addressing an issue that is critical to the quality of life for our servicemembers and their families…the state of military housing. This is an issue that goes beyond party lines and demands our attention and action.
Our men and women in uniform have put their life on the line to protect our freedom, they and their families make countless sacrifices for our nation.
We owe it to these individuals to ensure they have access to safe, comfortable, and affordable housing. Unfortunately, the reality of military housing is often far from that.
Last week, the Government Accountability Office published a report detailing deplorable and frankly inexcusable conditions of unaccompanied housing for junior servicemembers. Sewage overflow, water quality issues, rodent infestations, mold, broken air condition units in sweltering heat, and other all have been found in these facilities… facilities that service members are expected and required to live in.
We cannot allow this situation to persist… it is an issue not only of justice and dignity, but also of military readiness. When our servicemembers are preoccupied with their health and safety, they cannot focus on their mission.
A few years ago, we saw similar conditions in private family military housing. Families delt with long delays in repair and maintenance requests or requests that were not responded to at all, children were getting sick from mold and lead paint, and members feared retribution from private companies if they complained to their command. This situation required extensive Congressional action to make improvements to these conditions.
The Department and individual services have continued to neglect the oversight and management these projects require. They have failed to provide the housing that servicemembers need and deserve.
This matter must be addressed. We must demand greater accountability from the Department of Defense.
