Mike Rogers - Chairman of the Armed Services Committee | Official U.S. House headshot
Mike Rogers - Chairman of the Armed Services Committee | Official U.S. House headshot
U.S. Representative Mike Rogers (R-AL), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, delivered opening remarks at the full committee markup for H.R. 8070, the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement Act and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25).
Chairman Rogers stated, "For the first time in decades, the bill before us today carries a different short title. It is the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act." He emphasized that this change highlights significant improvements in servicemembers' quality of life.
"No servicemember should have to live in squalid conditions," Rogers asserted. "No military family should have to rely on food stamps to feed their children. And no one serving this country should have to wait weeks to see a doctor or a mental health specialist."
Rogers acknowledged contributions from Mr. Bacon, Ms. Houlahan, and members of the Quality of Life Panel, as well as extensive oversight efforts by all members and staff over recent months.
"This bill will go a long way toward fixing that," he noted. The legislation aims to revitalize the defense industrial base and build a capable fighting force to deter adversaries like China.
Rogers commended Ranking Member Smith and staff for maintaining bipartisan collaboration on the bill's development. He also thanked all members for their input and assistance.
"There are nearly 700 amendments for us to work through today," Rogers mentioned, urging cooperation among members to expedite the process. "There will be disagreements. But we all have the same goal - to support the men and women who serve our nation."
Expressing optimism about bipartisan support for the final bill, Rogers concluded his remarks with an appeal for unity in achieving their shared objective.
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