The Senate Armed Services Committee wants to lower housing allowances. Why?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 04 Jun 2016 22:04:16 -0400

Military advocates are baffled over a Senate plan to overhaul troops’ housing stipends, saying the change appears unneeded and potentially crippling to family finances.

“We view Basic Allowance for Housing as an earned benefit, and we don’t agree with trying to reduce that benefit,” said Michael Barron, deputy director of government relations at the Military Officers Association of America

Response by MSgt Michael Bischoff made Jun 4 at 2016 10:12 PM

MSgt Michael Bischoff — Sat, 04 Jun 2016 22:12:10 -0400

Congress (senate) is very unhappy the GI's might getting close to getting ahead in life, so they have to take things away to "fix" it.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Jun 4 at 2016 10:25 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Sat, 04 Jun 2016 22:25:18 -0400

The only thing unusual about this is timing. The cutting of benefits and pay normally occur when relative peace exists.

Response by SP5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2016 11:46 PM

SP5 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 04 Jun 2016 23:46:45 -0400

who is on the committee, and is it election year posturing that is intended for the anti-military in their constituencies? If so, it will disappear in a flood of pushback from military support organizations like VFW and American Legion. At least I hope so.

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made Jun 5 at 2016 8:57 AM

CPT Joseph K Murdock — Sun, 05 Jun 2016 08:57:20 -0400

We are in an era where the POTUS, law makers, and generals want to take from the troops. It's the en vogue action to take.

Response by SFC Gregory Brown made Jun 5 at 2016 10:43 AM

SFC Gregory Brown — Sun, 05 Jun 2016 10:43:07 -0400

Not surprised with this one bit, let's just pray to God it doesn't happen. I think the House, and Senate need a good old fashioned "house cleaning" with a "blanket party" thrown in.

Response by SGT Kristin Wiley made Jun 5 at 2016 8:29 PM

SGT Kristin Wiley — Sun, 05 Jun 2016 20:29:46 -0400

It doesn't make any sense. It just puts more money into the housing market and takes it out of service members pockets. If they are going to pay up to a certain rate in BAH, service members will just find housing at the maximum rate and the amount of money that will be saved will be minimum. I'm sure a somewhat decent amount will add up across the ranks, but it does nothing to benefit our service members. Then the politicians will whine when more service members get food stamps and other government assistance because they are no longer allowed to save money on housing. Not to start a firestorm, but it they are going to target BAH, I would look at making a singular rate, and removing the BAH with dependent/without dependents.

Response by MAJ Keira Brennan made Jun 6 at 2016 12:52 AM

MAJ Keira Brennan — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 00:52:25 -0400

Pork barrell politics