Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Nation should honor and recognize military families who have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 crisis.

IV 116TH CONGRESS 2D SESSION H. RES. 1089 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Nation should honor and recognize military families who have been disproportionately affected by the COVID–19 crisis. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AUGUST 18, 2020 Mr. VELA submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services RESOLUTION Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Nation should honor and recognize military families who have been disproportionately affected by the COVID–19 crisis. Whereas families all over the world are making sacrifices re- sulting from the spread of COVID–19, but military fami- lies in particular are living in tremendous uncertainty; Whereas the families of members of the Armed Forces de- ployed around the world and working on the front lines of the virus face enormous challenges that are being ex- acerbated by the global pandemic; Whereas members of the Armed Forces who become infected may result in military families having to quarantine over- seas; VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:10 Aug 18, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR1089.IH HR1089 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 2 •HRES 1089 IH Whereas delayed and canceled permanent change of station moves, restrictions on travel, and stay-at-home orders are placing an exceptional amount of stress on military fami- lies as they face challenges including overextended leases, threatening loss of housing, and unexpected out-of-pocket expenses; Whereas spouses of members of the Armed Forces are facing job loss or may be unable to work because of the COVID–19 crisis, putting additional strain on family budgets; Whereas pandemic-related school closures can lead to food in- security for military families; Whereas the closure of schools, the shift to distance learning, and limited access to care for younger children, including the closure of child development centers during the pan- demic, place a major burden on families, particularly those where a parent is deployed; Whereas not all military families can afford the essential soft- ware, broadband access, and equipment required for on- line school; Whereas military personnel and their dependents dealing with mental and physical health issues have difficulty main- taining continuity of care throughout the pandemic; Whereas military dependents with special needs rely heavily on assistance from the Exceptional Family Member Pro- gram and other initiatives that may not be able to pro- vide hands-on assistance due to restrictions to slow the spread of the virus; Whereas the COVID–19 crisis may result in fluctuations in deployment or reintegration schedules, adding further strain to an unpredictable time for military families; and VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:10 Aug 18, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR1089.IH HR1089 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 3 •HRES 1089 IH Whereas communities and military leaders are working hard to support the families of members of the Armed Forces, including members of the reserve components, throughout this pandemic, the Nation owes a great debt of gratitude for their exceptional sacrifices: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Rep- 1 resentatives to honor the military families who have been 2 disproportionately affected by the COVID–19 crisis. 3 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:10 Aug 18, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR1089.IH HR1089 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS