By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium
U.S. Representative Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) was recently appointed to the House Armed Services Committee’s Bipartisan Quality of Life Panel.
Formed earlier this year to address and investigate quality-of-life issues affecting service members and their families, the panel will focus on critical servicemembers’ issues, including compensation, childcare, housing, spouse support programs, and healthcare.
Strickland, who represents a district where one of the largest military installations in the country resides, says that as a member of the panel, she will be able to address critical issues like housing, pay, and benefits for the servicemen and women in this region.
“Meeting the basic needs of servicemembers is foundational to our national security,” said Strickland. “Since my first day in Congress, I have been committed to addressing the quality-of-life issues facing service members, including affordable and accessible housing, pay and benefits, and spousal employment. I look forward to working with my colleagues to fight for the dignity of the uniformed men and women who serve our country.”
Recognizing the needs and resources servicemembers and their families need and deserve, Rep. Adam Smith (WA-09), the House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member, is a firm believer in Strickland’s ability to champion this cause.
“Service members and their families are at the heart of America’s defense. Ensuring they get the resources, services, and recognition they need and deserve must be the utmost priority for us as Members of Congress,” said Smith. “Rep. Strickland will be a strong champion for advancing that critically important work in her role on the Quality-of-Life Panel.”
According to Shannon Razsadin, President and Executive Director of the Military Family Advisory Network, care and resources for the families and members of the United States military are the reasons behind the formation of the “quality of life panel” in Congress.
“The formation of Congress’ quality of life panel marks a significant step in addressing military family readiness issues like pay and benefit inequities, food insecurity, and affordable housing,” says Razsadin. “Taking care of our service members and their families is not only the right thing to do—it’s a national security imperative.”
“Congresswoman Strickland will contribute tremendous insight to this panel as she has led the way in listening to military family voices and has worked toward bold change on Capitol Hill to strengthen the overall well-being of the military-connected community,” added Razsadin.
