Senator Reverend Warnock secured the inclusion of his bipartisan amendment to the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which would make the Department of Defense (DoD) update the Dislocation Allowance (DLA) calculation

When military families move, they often incur unforeseen expenses. While military families can receive some financial support through the DoD Dislocation Allowance (DLA), the method for determining DLA has not been adjusted in 20 years and is outdated

Senator Reverend Warnock: “Georgia is a military state, so I hear from Georgia’s military families all the time about how stressful and costly it can be to relocate to another base community, which is why I’m glad to see the strong bipartisan support for my provision which will ensure military families limit unforeseen expenses while moving across the country in service of our country”

A stalwart champion for Georgia’s servicemembers and their families, Senator Warnock has tirelessly fought in the Senate to strengthen federal support for Georgia’s military communities

Washington, D.C. – This week, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) secured the inclusion of his bipartisan amendment to the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to require the Department of Defense (DoD) to reexamine the Dislocation Allowance (DLA) calculation and ensure that it is adequate to meet the needs of our servicemen and women. When military families move, they often incur unforeseen expenses.  While military families can receive some financial support through the DoD Dislocation Allowance (DLA), the method for determining DLA has not been adjusted in 20 years and is outdated. Senator Warnock’s bipartisan amendment would direct DoD to reevaluate the DLA calculation and address concerns of Georgia and the nation’s military families. The amendment was co-led by Senator John Boozman (R-AR).

“Our servicemembers are the best among us,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “When we invest in our servicemembers and their families, we increase their morale and quality of life while bolstering our national security. Georgia is a military state, so I hear from Georgia’s military families all the time about how stressful and costly it can be to relocate to another base community, which is why I’m glad to see strong bipartisan support for my provision, which will ensure military families limit unforeseen expenses while moving across the country in service of our country. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get my provision passed in this year’s NDAA.” 

“Constant moves are a part of military life, but paying out of pocket to relocate should not be something we ask of our servicemembers and their families. The Military Officers Association of America thanks Senators Warnock and Boozman for their hard work to ensure the Senate’s version of the NDAA will require DoD to modernize the dislocation allowance for those who serve. We strongly support this amendment and urge the House to include it in the final bill,” said Cory Titus, Director of Veteran Benefits and Guard/Reserve Affairs, Military Officers Association of America (MOAA)

A stalwart champion for Georgia’s veterans, military families and servicemembers, Senator Warnock has been active in the Senate working to strengthen federal support for Georgia’s military communities. Last year, Senator Warnock successfully included a bipartisan provision in the FY22 NDAA to direct the DoD to collect important data related to military spouse employment and challenges they face.  Recently, Senator Warnock helped to pass the PACT Act, the largest expansion of veterans’ health benefits in decades. Additionally, Senator Warnock has introduced legislation to upgrade standards of care in veterans’ homes, fought for legislation to protect benefits for spouses of deceased servicemembers, and introduced a legislative package to bolster affordable military housing for servicemembers and their families.

Click here for the full amendment text.

###