Carter Remarks at Oversight Hearing on Quality of Life in the Military

Today’s hearing is on the quality of life for our enlisted soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, guardians, and their families. 

The five witnesses at the table represent the highest enlisted level of leadership for their respective branches. 

I am pleased that we are having this hearing again as we begin the Fiscal Year 2026 cycle. This group’s insight is critical. This hearing is a great opportunity to identify areas where we can be more helpful to our service members and their families. 

We remain committed to providing high quality barracks and family housing, but military quality of life is broader. It includes where service-members work, train, and eat. It includes where their children go to school and where their families receive health care. So, this is an opportunity to discuss the important connection between facilities, readiness, and quality of life. 

Investing in infrastructure bolsters the military’s ability to train and fight, while also ensuring our service members and their families are taken care of at home, every day. We owe that to them.

I would like to recognize Ms. Wasserman Schultz for her opening remarks.