Bill · H.R. 6586· House(119-HR-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.
- Introduced
- 12/10/2025
- Last activity
- 12/10/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- Sponsored by
- Jimmy Panetta
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill authorizes the Secretary of Defense to run a pilot program for junior enlisted members of the Armed Forces. The program would involve providing a monthly coupon to these members to be used specifically for buying food at commissaries. The Secretary would select two military installations to host this trial. The goal is to assess how effective these coupons are at helping members access healthy and affordable food. The program must end within one year of starting. Finally, a report on the results must be sent to congressional defense committees.
Yes· 3 of 4
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+4
The coupons are intended to help junior enlisted members access more affordable and healthy food options.
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?+3
The bill provides specific nutritional assistance benefits to junior enlisted members of the military.
Is this likely to lift people out of poverty?+3
The bill aims to reduce food insecurity among junior enlisted members through monthly food coupons.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-1
The bill authorizes a new pilot program which requires new federal spending for coupons.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased access to healthy food: The bill aims to expand the accessibility of healthy and affordable food options for members, particularly those in unaccompanied housing (Section 1).
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Support for junior enlisted members: The program targets junior enlisted members, who face acute challenges in accessing affordable and healthy food options while living in government-provided quarters (Section 1).
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Flexible food procurement: The coupons can be used to purchase food at commissaries, which may include nutritious and minimally processed ready-made or easy-to-make food options (Section 2(b)(2)(D)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Restrictions on coupon usage: Coupons cannot be used to purchase alcoholic beverages or tobacco (Section 2(c)(3)(A)).
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Limitations on food purchases: Coupons cannot be used to pay certain deposit fees for food contained in returnable bottles or cans (Section 2(c)(3)(B)).
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Supplemental nature of benefits: The coupons are intended to supplement, not replace, the basic allowance for subsistence or any other meal/ration programs a member might be eligible for (Section 2(c)(4)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+4Good For Veterans+3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+3
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Veterans Benefits+2
- Economy And Finance
- Reduces Government Spending-1
- 12/10/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- Introduced in House
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.