Emily Randall (D-WA)
ANCHOR for Military Families Act
A Democratic bill with 6 Republican cosponsors · See all 16 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "ANCHOR for Military Families Act," seeks to amend title 10 of the United States Code. It requires the Secretary of Defense to provide specific information to members of the armed forces and their families when they receive orders for a change of permanent station. The information covers topics such as educational resources, housing assistance, and mental health support. The Secretary must ensure this information is provided no later than 45 days before the change of station takes effect. Additionally, the Secretary is tasked with developing communication strategies and assessing family satisfaction. Finally, the Secretary must provide annual briefings to the House and Senate Committees on Armed Services regarding the implementation of these changes.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +3
Would children be better off under this?
The bill significantly improves information regarding educational planning and support for dependent children.
- Scored +3
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?
The bill provides targeted educational support information for children with disabilities during military relocations.
- Scored +2
Would students be better off under this?
The bill improves educational continuity and support for military-connected student children.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Educational Support: The bill expands information regarding education systems, school enrollment procedures, and the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children (Section 2(a)(1)(A)). It also adds specific guidance for educational resources for dependent children, including school transition assistance, academic continuity, and special education services (Section 2(a)(1)(B)).
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Support for Children with Disabilities: The bill adds a specific provision for educational planning and support services for dependent children with disabilities, which includes procedures for transferring individualized education programs and coordinating with the Exceptional Family Member Program (Section 2(a)(1)(C)).
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Comprehensive Relocation Information: The Secretary of Defense must ensure families receive information on various assistance programs, including financial planning, spouse employment support, community integration, housing assistance, and legal and financial counseling (Section 2(a)(2)(3)).
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Mental Health Access: The bill requires the provision of information regarding mental health and well-being support services that are accessible during the transition period of a change of permanent station (Section 2(a)(2)(3)(C)).
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Proactive Communication: The Secretary is required to ensure information is provided at least 45 days before a change of station and must develop a communication strategy using digital outreach and printed materials to increase awareness (Section 2(a)(2)(1) and Section 2(a)(2)(4)(C)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts are explicitly stated in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would children be better off under this? — The bill significantly improves information regarding educational planning and support for dependent children. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill provides targeted educational support information for children with disabilities during military relocations. Would students be better off under this? — The bill improves educational continuity and support for military-connected student children.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — The bill enhances support for dependent children with disabilities by requiring information on transferring IEPs and coordinating with specialized programs. Does this make housing cost less? — The bill facilitates better access to information regarding housing assistance for relocating military families.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill increases transparency by requiring annual briefings to Congressional committees regarding the implementation of relocation assistance.
- Healthcare
- Does this make mental health care easier to get? — The bill improves access to information regarding mental health and well-being support services during station changes.
- 3/24/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 8/29/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/2/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 6/27/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/25/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 6/24/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/20/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/12/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/9/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/5/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 6/3/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 5/21/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Michael BaumgartnerRepublican · Washington
Henry CuellarDemocrat · Texas
Donald DavisDemocrat · North Carolina
Suzan DelBeneDemocrat · Washington
Cleo FieldsDemocrat · Louisiana
Vicente GonzalezDemocrat · Texas
Robert GarciaDemocrat · California
Chrissy HoulahanDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Jennifer KiggansRepublican · Virginia
Kimberlyn King-HindsRepublican · Northern Mariana Islands
Seth MoultonDemocrat · Massachusetts
Brian MastRepublican · Florida
Dave MinDemocrat · California
Kim SchrierDemocrat · Washington
Michael TurnerRepublican · Ohio
Robert WittmanRepublican · Virginia