Introduction of the National Guard Housing Equity Act

Floor Speech

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Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, today, I introduce the National Guard Housing Equity Act, which would codify into law a new National Guard Bureau (Bureau) policy on housing allowances.

Under federal law, National Guard members who are deployed on active duty for 30 days or less receive the Basic Allowance for Housing Reserve Component (BAH-RC). National Guard members who are deployed on active duty for 31 days or longer receive the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH). BAH-RC is less than BAH. This can lead to unfair results.

For example, when District of Columbia National Guard members were deployed to respond to protests in the District last summer, they were originally deployed on orders for less than 30 days, but ended up serving for over 30 consecutive days. However, they only received BAH- RC.

After I raised this issue with the Bureau, the Bureau informed me that it would change the policy to allow a National Guard member who served over 30 consecutive days, no matter the length of their initial deployment orders, to receive BAH. This bill would codify this new policy into law.

This bill would ensure National Guard members receive the full benefits to which they are entitled and ensure that they are not shortchanged because of guesswork on how long a deployment might last.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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