Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander joined a bipartisan, bicameral coalition of members to introduce the Military Food Security Act of 2025, legislation that would ensure military families have better access to affordable and healthy food.

The Pentagon found that 24% of all active duty servicemembers, or approximately 286,800 personnel, experienced food insecurity in 2020 and 2021. More recently, the Office of the Secretary of Defense partnered with the RAND Corporation to discover that 25.8% of personnel in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard were food insecure.

“Food costs across America are sky-high, and America’s servicemembers are paying the price. Today, more than a quarter of people serving in our Armed Forces can’t afford to put the food they need on the table,” said Congresswoman Goodlander. “That’s not right. And that’s why I’m working to get this bipartisan bill signed into law.” 

The bill excludes the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) from income calculations used to determine eligibility for the Basic Needs Allowance (BNA). This change would remove an unintended barrier that prevents some military families from qualifying for the food assistance they need. 

Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander, a former intelligence officer in the United States Navy Reserve, is a fierce fighter for New Hampshire’s servicemembers, veterans, and their families. Goodlander helped launch the Lowering Costs Caucus, a group of members dedicated to tackling the cost crisis that is standing between hardworking people and the American Dream.

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