I
104TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 673
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
JANUARY 25, 1995
Mr. GALLEGLY introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on National Security
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 Unit-