I
103D CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 4831
To establish a national commission to review the regular military compensa-
tion of members of the Armed Forces and develop recommendations
to end the dependence of some members and their families on Federal
and local assistance programs.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JULY 26, 1994
Mr. GALLEGLY (for himself, Mr. KYL, Mr. SPENCE, and Mr. STUMP) intro-
duced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed
Services
A BILL
To establish a national commission to review the regular
military compensation of members of the Armed Forces
and develop recommendations to end the dependence of
some members and their families on Federal and local
assistance programs.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL COMMISSION
ON FAIRNESS IN MILITARY COMPENSATION.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established a com-
mission to be known as the ‘‘National Commission on
Fairness in Military Compensation’’ (in this Act referred
to as the ‘‘Commission’’).
(b) MEMBERSHIP OF COMMISSION.—The Commis-
sion shall consist of 16 members, as follows:
(1) The Secretary of Defense.
(2) The Secretary of Agriculture.
(3) The Director of the Office of Management
and Budget.
(4) The Secretary of Health and Human Serv-
ices.
(5) Two Members of the Senate, one Member
selected by the President pro tempore of the Senate
and one Member selected by the minority leader of
the Senate.
(6) Two Members of the House of Representa-
tives, one Member selected by the Speaker of the
House and one Member selected by the minority
leader of the House of Representatives.
(7) Eight additional members appointed by the
President from the general public or as representa-
tives of nonprofit or military advocacy organizations,
such as—
(A) the American Legion;
(B) the Veterans of Foreign Wars;
(C) the USO;
(D) the Non-Commissioned Officers Asso-
ciation;
(E) the Retired Enlisted Association;
(F) the Fleet Reserve Association;
(G) the Association of the United States
Army;
(H) the National Military Family Associa-
tion; and
(I) the Air Force Sergeants Association.
(c) TIME FOR APPOINTMENT.—The members of the
Commission required to be appointed or selected under
subsection (b) shall be appointed or selected not later than
6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(d) CHAIRPERSON.—The Commission shall elect a
Chairperson from among its membership.
SEC. 2. FUNCTIONS OF COMMISSION.
(a) REVIEW OF FAIRNESS OF MILITARY COMPENSA-
TION.—The Commission shall determine the extent to
which members of the Armed Forces or their dependents
have come to rely on food stamps, the special supplemental
food program under section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act
of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786), and other Federal or local as-
sistance programs as a necessary supplement to their reg-
ular military compensation and the circumstances that
lead to such dependence. In the case of members of the
Armed Forces stationed outside the United States who are
unable to receive such assistance, the Commission shall
also determine the general standard of living for these
members and their dependents.
(b) REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS.—On the basis
of the review conducted under subsection (a), the Commis-
sion shall prepare and submit to the President and Con-
gress a report containing the findings of the Commission
and specific recommendations on possible changes in the
military pay structure or other methods to ensure that
members of the Armed Forces receive adequate compensa-
tion so that they are able to provide for themselves and
their families without seeking special financial assistance
to maintain a decent standard of living. The report shall
be submitted within 180 days after the first meeting of
the Commission.
SEC. 3. GENERAL POWERS OF COMMISSION.
(a) QUORUM.—A majority of the members of the
Commission shall constitute a group for the transaction
of business.
(b) VACANCIES.—Any vacancy on the Commission
shall not affect its powers, but shall be filled in the manner
in which the original appointment was made.
(c) PROHIBITION OF ADDITIONAL PAY.—Members of
the Commission who are officers or employees of the
United States shall receive no additional pay, allowances,
or benefits by reason of their service on the Commission.
Members appointed from among private citizens of the
United States may be allowed travel expenses, including
per diem, in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by law for
persons serving intermittently in the government service
to the extent funds are available for such expenses.
(d) HEARINGS.—For the purpose of carrying out this
Act, the Commission may hold such hearings and sit and
act at such times and places as the Commission may find
advisable.
(e) RULES
AND REGULATIONS.—The Commission
may adopt such rules and regulations as may be necessary
to establish its procedures and to govern the manner of
its operations, organization, and personnel.
(f) ASSISTANCE FROM FEDERAL AGENCIES.—(1)
The Commission may request from the head of any Fed-
eral agency or instrumentality such information as the
Commission may require for the purpose of this Act. Upon
request made by the Chairperson of the Commission, each
such agency or instrumentality shall furnish such informa-
tion to the Commission, to the extent permitted by law
and subject to the exceptions set forth in section 552 of
title 5, United States Code (commonly referred to as the
Freedom of Information Act).
(2) Upon request of the Chairperson of the Commis-
sion, the head of any Federal agency or instrumentality
shall, to the extent possible and subject to the discretion
of such head—
(A) make any of the facilities and services of
such agency or instrumentality available to the Com-
mission; and
(B) detail any of the personnel of such agency
or instrumentality to the Commission, on a reim-
bursable basis, to assist the Commission in carrying
out its duties under this Act, except that any ex-
penses of the Commission incurred under this sub-
paragraph shall be subject to the limitation on total
expenses set forth in section 4(b).
(g) MAILS.—The Commission may use the United
States mails in the same manner and under the same con-
ditions as other Federal agencies.
(h) CONTRACTING.—The Commission may, to such
extent and in such amounts as are provided in appropria-
tion Acts, enter into contracts with State agencies, private
firms, institutions, and individuals for the purpose of con-
ducting research or surveys necessary to enable the Com-
mission to discharge its duties under this Act, subject to
the limitation on total expenses set forth in section 4(b).
(i) STAFF.—Subject to such rules and regulations as
may be adopted by the Commission, the Chairperson of
the Commission (subject to the limitation on total ex-
penses set forth in section 4(b)) shall have the power to
appoint, terminate, and fix the compensation (without re-
gard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, gov-
erning appointments in the competitive service, and with-
out regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter
III of provision of law, relating to the number, classifica-
tion, and General Schedule rates) of an Executive Direc-
tor, and of such additional staff as the Chairperson deems
advisable to assist the Commission, at rates not to exceed
a rate to the maximum rate for GS–15, of the General
Schedule under section 5332 of such title.
SEC. 4. EXPENSES OF COMMISSION.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Any expenses of the Commission
shall be paid from such funds as may be available to the
Secretary of Defense.
(b) LIMITATION.—The total expenses of the Commis-
sion shall not exceed $750,000.
(c) GAO AUDIT.—Prior to the termination of the
Commission, the Comptroller General of the United States
shall conduct an audit of the financial books and records
of the Commission to determine that the limitation on ex-
penses has been met, and shall include its determination
in an opinion to be included in the report of the Commis-
sion.
SEC. 5. TERMINATION OF COMMISSION.
The Commission shall terminate 30 days after the
date on which the Commission submits its final report
under section 2(b).
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