Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R, WA-05) introduced a bipartisan, bicameral resolution to designate April as the “Month of the Military Child.” Month of the Military Child is observed each April to celebrate and honor the commitment, service, and sacrifices made by children in military families. The resolution notes that servicemembers’ entire families make a commitment to the United States, and that military children are heroes in their own way—and it urges people across the United States to show appreciation for the more than 1.56 million children who are part of military families across the United States.
In the Senate, the legislation was co-led by Senators John Boozman (R-AR), Michael Bennet (D-CO), and John Cornyn (R-TX), and the bill was co-led in the House by Rep. Sanford Bishop (D, GA-02).
“Much like their parents, military children make sacrifices every single day in service to our country, and this bipartisan resolution is an acknowledgement of those efforts and the heroic commitment military children show to their families and communities,” said Senator Murray (D-WA). “I am proud to be a voice for Washington state’s servicemembers and their families and will continue to do everything I can to support military children and recognize them for all that they do.”
“Joining the military is more than just a job, it’s a family commitment that can be difficult,” said Rep. McMorris Rodgers (R, WA-05). To all the children whose mom or dad is actively serving our country—at Fairchild Air Force Base or halfway around the world—we thank you for sharing in their sacrifice. You are a hero in your own way, and you deserve to be celebrated.”
As the daughter of a World War II veteran, supporting servicemembers and their families has always been a top priority for Senator Murray. Last year, Senators Murray and Boozman reintroduced their bipartisan Helping Heroes Act, which would support the families of disabled veterans, including children who take on caregiving roles. This bill recognizes the work done by the approximately 2.3 million children under the age of 18 living in a household with a disabled veteran and seeks to provide critical support and assistance to these children in accessing local, state, and federal resources.
The fiscal year 2024 Defense Appropriations Bill Senator Murray negotiated as Appropriations Chair included a 5.2 percent pay raise for servicemembers, increased funding for the Basic Needs Allowance, and funding for bonuses and new resources to help military families make ends meet. The bill also provides key investments in child care for military families, including $33 million to enable DOD to offer a 50% discount for the first child of employees of DOD child development centers to improve recruitment and retention of staff, and $94 million—a $66.5 million increase—to support full-day universal pre-K and double enrollment of children of servicemembers. The bill also provided $20 million in new funding for the renovation and repairs of DOD Child Development Centers. Additionally, the MilCon-VA Appropriations Bill Murray negotiated included $23 million to expand the VA’s Child Care Pilot Program to eliminate barriers for veterans in need of child care while attending medical appointments, and $277 million to establish six new child development centers to expand access to child care for military families.
Read the full Senate resolution HERE.
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