To authorize the Secretary of Defense to establish a pilot program to assess the efficacy of providing junior enlisted members of the Armed Forces a monthly coupon for use in procuring food at commissaries.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 6586 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 6586 To authorize the Secretary of Defense to establish a pilot program to assess the efficacy of providing junior enlisted members of the Armed Forces a monthly coupon for use in procuring food at commissaries. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES December 10, 2025 Mr. Panetta introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To authorize the Secretary of Defense to establish a pilot program to assess the efficacy of providing junior enlisted members of the Armed Forces a monthly coupon for use in procuring food at commissaries. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SENSE OF CONGRESS. It is the sense of Congress that-- (1) members of the Armed Forces and their families deserve access to affordable and healthy food options, including during their duty day; (2) there has been increased awareness about the challenges members and their families face in accessing affordable and healthy food options; (3) those challenges have been especially acute for unaccompanied junior enlisted members who live in government- provided quarters on military installations; and (4) the Department of Defense should explore a variety of proposals for expanding the accessibility of healthy and affordable food options to members, especially members who live in unaccompanied housing on military installations. SEC. 2. PILOT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE COUPONS TO JUNIOR ENLISTED MEMBERS TO PURCHASE FOOD AT COMMISSARIES. (a) Pilot Program.--The Secretary of Defense may conduct a pilot program to assess the efficacy of providing junior enlisted members of the Armed Forces a monthly coupon f