Raphael Warnock (D-GA)
ANCHOR for Military Families Act
A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the 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
The ANCHOR for Military Families Act seeks to amend title 10 of the United States Code regarding relocation assistance. It requires the Secretary of Defense to provide more detailed information to service members and their families when they receive orders for a change of permanent station. The bill expands existing requirements to include specific details on education systems, school enrollment, and support for children with disabilities. It also mandates the provision of information regarding housing, mental health, and financial counseling. The Secretary must ensure this information is delivered at least 45 days before a station change takes effect. Finally, the bill requires regular reports to Congressional committees regarding the implementation of these changes.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +6
Would children be better off under this?
The bill specifically expands educational and special education support information for dependent children.
- Scored +6
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?
The bill requires detailed coordination for transferring individualized education programs for children with disabilities.
- Scored +6
Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities?
The bill mandates the provision of educational planning and support services for dependent children with disabilities during relocation.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Enhanced Educational Support: The bill expands information to include education systems, school enrollment procedures, and State-specific provisions under the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children (Section 2(a)(1)(A)). It also adds resources for dependent children regarding school transition, academic continuity, and special education services (Section 2(a)(1)(B)).
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Support for Children with Disabilities: The act adds a requirement for providing educational planning and support services for dependent children with disabilities, specifically including procedures for transferring individualized education programs and coordination with the Exceptional Family Member Program (Section 2(a)(1)(C)).
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Comprehensive Relocation Information: The Secretary of Defense is required to ensure families receive information on several key areas, including financial planning, spouse employment support, community integration, housing assistance (on-base and off-base), mental health services, and legal or financial counseling (Section 2(a)(2)(3)(A-F)).
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Timely Communication: The bill mandates that this information be provided to the service member and their family no later than 45 days before the change of permanent station takes effect (Section 2(a)(2)(2)).
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Increased Accessibility and Awareness: The Secretary is tasked with creating a communication strategy that includes digital outreach, printed materials, and accessible briefings at military installations to increase awareness of available assistance (Section 2(a)(2)(4)(A-C)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts or burdens are explicitly mentioned 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 specifically expands educational and special education support information for dependent children. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill requires detailed coordination for transferring individualized education programs for children with disabilities.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — The bill mandates the provision of educational planning and support services for dependent children with disabilities during relocation. Does this make child care cost less? — The bill provides information on educational resources and school transition assistance for dependent children.
- Healthcare
- Does this make mental health care easier to get? — The bill requires the Secretary of Defense to provide information on mental health and well-being support services during station changes.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill enhances support services for active-duty military families during station changes, which supports long-term service stability.
- Education And Technology
- Does this make it easier to use public money at a school other than the local one? — The bill provides more information regarding school enrollment procedures and special education services for military children.
- 1/15/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 11/18/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Jon OssoffDemocrat · Georgia
Mike RoundsRepublican · South Dakota