Senators Marshall & Warnock Introduce Bipartisan Legislation Implementing MAHA in our Military

Washington – Last week, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), and Senator Raphael Warnock (D-Georgia) introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at implementing healthier and more nutritious food options at our military bases, ensuring that the world’s finest military is eating the most sustaining foods.

The bipartisan Commissary Healthy Options and Servicemember Wellness (CHOW) Act would create a common-sense pilot program at two installations selected by the Department of War to provide servicemembers with a monthly credit to use at their on-base commissary, ensuring they have access to affordable, healthy food. Commissaries, which are on-base grocery stores, provide better options for cooking at home, as well as ready-to-eat and easy-to-prepare meals at lower prices than off-base options. By increasing commissary usage, the program would give servicemembers a reliable alternative to limited dining facilities and costly fast food.

“Healthy troops are ready troops – and ensuring the brave men and women who protect our country have access to healthy and nutritious food should be a top priority,” said Senator Marshall. “I am proud to partner with Senator Warnock on the CHOW Act to take another meaningful step towards providing healthy alternatives to our servicemembers. This helps to make certain our troops set the standard for strength and peak physical fitness. I am happy to see my MAHA agenda implemented within our armed forces.”

“For too long, servicemembers have lacked reliable access to quality, nutritious food options on base. This bipartisan legislation will launch a program to provide commissary credits to help soldiers put healthy, tasty, and quality meals on the table.” said Senator Warnock.

Background:

• About 70 percent of all active-duty service members are overweight, and 21 percent are obese, according to a 2023 report by the American Security Project, a military think tank. 
• Servicemembers on military installations struggle with:
  • Food quality and operating hour challenges at dining facilities.
  • Lack access to basic allowance for subsistence for Soldiers living in barracks who must eat at dining facilities.
  • Overall, there is a lack of healthy food options.
• These challenges are pushing troops toward fast food and delivery apps like Uber Eats, which are expensive and unhealthy.

Click here to read the full text of the legislation.

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Contact: Payton Fuller