S.Amdt. 6186

This amendment, submitted by Mr. Warner and Ms. Murkowski, aims to address food insecurity for members of the Armed Forces who are transitioning out of active duty service. It proposes adding a new section to bill S. 4784.

The amendment seeks to add the following requirements:

• Study and Outreach: The Secretary of Defense must work with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and other officials to study how members are informed about Federal nutrition assistance programs. They must also increase education and outreach to transitioning members, specifically those at risk for food insecurity.

• Reporting: The Secretary of Defense must submit a report on the study's results to the House and Senate Committees on Armed Services and publish it on the Department of Defense website within one year.

• Working Group: A working group consisting of representatives from the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Agriculture, and other stakeholders will be created. This group will focus on coordination, data sharing, and evaluating factors that cause food insecurity for transitioning members.

• Working Group Report: Within one year, the working group must provide a report to relevant congressional committees. This report must include:

  • Funding used by each department for research on food insecurity among veterans or Armed Forces members.
  • Methods for sharing best practices and comparing programs.
  • Plans for better government efficiency and cross-agency coordination.
  • Identification of administrative, technological, or legal barriers to data sharing and any new authorities needed to fix them.