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119-s-2772119th CongressWALLET

Commissary Healthy Options and servicemember Welfare (CHOW) Act

Sponsored By: Senator Warnock, Raphael G. [D-GA]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would create a one-year pilot that gives junior enlisted service members a monthly commissary coupon to buy food. It aims to improve access to affordable, healthy food for unaccompanied junior enlisted members living in government quarters.

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  • Junior enlisted and unaccompanied members: Eligible members would receive a monthly voucher usable only at military commissaries for home-consumption foods and ready-made items. Coupons would exclude alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and extra container deposit fees and would be supplemental to the Basic Allowance for Subsistence and other in-kind meal programs.
  • Commissaries and dining facilities: The pilot would run at two installations chosen for large unaccompanied housing populations, low dining facility attendance, and commissaries that offer nutritious ready-made or easy-to-make options. The program tracks changes in commissary and dining facility usage and customer satisfaction.
  • Department of Defense and congressional oversight: The Secretary of Defense would set the coupon amount and limit its use to food. Not later than 90 days after the one-year pilot ends, the Secretary must report to the congressional defense committees on coupon use, member feedback, impacts on commissary and dining facility utilization, and the pilot’s effect on food insecurity and access to nutritious options.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Monthly commissary food coupons for service members

If enacted, the bill would let the Secretary of Defense run a one-year pilot giving a monthly food coupon to junior enlisted service members. The pilot would be at two military bases chosen by the Secretary using set criteria. You would need to be a junior enlisted member stationed at a pilot base to get a coupon. Coupons could only buy food at on-base commissaries. Coupons could not buy alcohol or tobacco and could not cover deposit fees above any State reimbursement. The Secretary would set the coupon amount. Coupons could not replace your basic allowance for subsistence or other in-kind meal programs. The pilot must end within one year. Within 90 days after it ends, the Secretary must report to the congressional defense committees on usage, member feedback, impacts on commissaries and dining facilities, and whether the pilot reduced food insecurity.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Warnock, Raphael G. [D-GA]

GA • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Marshall, Roger [R-KS]

    KS • R

    Sponsored 9/11/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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