Palm Coast Times

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Congressman and Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness, Mike Waltz, recently addressed Defense Department officials regarding the accountability for the deteriorating state of military housing on bases nationwide. During the hearing, Waltz expressed his concern over the conditions that service members are currently living in, emphasizing the need for immediate action.

Waltz began by highlighting the magnitude of the problem, stating, "We have, by my count, five hundred installations, five hundred thousand buildings, and nine thousand unaccompanied housing." He further criticized the limited scope of the Government Accountability Office's (GAO) recent visit to only ten installations, questioning what they would have discovered if they had visited all of them. Waltz made it clear that while he did not expect service members to live in luxury, the current state of the housing facilities was unacceptable.

Drawing attention to the seriousness of the situation, Waltz asked the officials, "I do not know of any of you, would any of you want your children in these conditions with mold, with feces, with broken sewage lines?" He further challenged the idea that individuals in such facilities would recommend military service to their friends or family members, stating, "are telling their high school buddy or their cousin or whomever that this is a service you got to join."

Waltz, a veteran himself, empathized with the impact that substandard housing has on service members' morale. He demanded answers regarding accountability, asking, "Who was fired? Who was held accountable?" Assistant Secretary of Defense for Installations, Energy, and Environment, Brendan Owens, confirmed that no one had been relieved of their duties due to the housing conditions. Waltz expressed his disappointment, stating, "I would submit to you that this may be a critical part of the problem because that sends a signal that this is unacceptable."

Turning to the issue of funding, Waltz inquired whether the FSRM (Facilities Sustainment, Restoration, and Modernization) budget lines would be fully funded to one hundred percent of the requirement in the proposed defense bill for the following year. Each official affirmed that the budget would be fully funded. Waltz then raised concerns about the lack of visibility in how FSRM funds are allocated at the installation level, highlighting the need for improved oversight. Owens acknowledged the concern and agreed that it needed to be addressed.

Finally, Waltz advocated for the utilization of public-private partnerships to improve housing standards. He emphasized the importance of common-sense solutions and urged officials to explore these partnerships as a way to enhance the living conditions of service members.

In conclusion, Congressman Waltz's pressing of Defense Department officials shed light on the dire state of military housing and the need for accountability. His passionate questioning and demands for action highlighted the urgency of the situation. As service members continue to serve their country, it is crucial that they have access to safe and adequate housing.