To amend title 10, United States Code, to require biennial assessments on the nutrition standards of the military departments, and for other purposes.
Summary
H.R. 5189 mandates biennial assessments of nutrition standards within each military department. These assessments will review nutrition programs and policies, evaluating how well these standards are reflected in food options available to service members on military installations. The bill also requires a plan to increase access to nutritious food on military installations, addressing recommendations from a Government Accountability Office report.
Expected Effects
The bill aims to improve the nutritional well-being of members of the Armed Forces. This will be achieved through regular evaluation and strategic planning. The assessments and plans will be publicly available, promoting transparency and accountability.
Potential Benefits
- Improved nutrition for military personnel, potentially enhancing their health and readiness.
- Increased transparency through public reporting of assessment results and plans.
- Enhanced accountability of military departments regarding nutrition standards.
- Strategic planning to address gaps in access to nutritious food on military installations.
- Alignment with GAO recommendations for improving food programs for service members.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential costs associated with conducting the assessments and developing the required plans.
- Possible administrative burden on the Department of Defense to comply with the new requirements.
- Risk that the assessments and plans may not lead to significant improvements in practice.
- Limited scope, focusing primarily on nutrition standards and access, potentially overlooking other factors affecting service members' health.
- Dependence on the effectiveness of the publicly available website for disseminating information.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the constitutional mandate to provide for the common defense and promote the general welfare. Congress has the authority to raise and support armies (Article I, Section 8). Ensuring the health and readiness of military personnel through improved nutrition is a legitimate exercise of this power. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).