WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Patty Murray (D-WA) introduced a bipartisan, bicameral resolution to designate April as the “Month of the Military Child.” Month of the Military Child is observed each April to celebrate and honor the service and sacrifices of children in military families. The resolution notes servicemembers’ entire families make a commitment to the United States, and that military children are heroes in their own way, in addition to urging people across the country to show appreciation for the more than 1.56 million children who are part of military families.

“Service in uniform is a family affair, which is why it’s important to recognize the children of our servicemembers and the sacrifices they make in support of their moms and dads bravely defending our country,” said Boozman. “Celebrating these young Americans in a bipartisan way is appropriate this month and year-round. Their love and strength are inspiring.” 

“Much like their parents, military children make sacrifices every single day in service to our country, and this bipartisan resolution is an acknowledgement of those efforts and the heroic commitment military children show to their families and communities,” said Murray. “I am proud to be a voice for Washington state’s servicemembers and their families and will continue to do everything I can to support military children and recognize them for all that they do.” 

Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and John Cornyn (R-TX) cosponsored the Senate resolution.

Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA-05) and Sanford Bishop (D-GA-02) co-led introduction of the measure in the House of Representatives. 

The Fiscal Year 2024 Defense Appropriations bill included a 5.2 percent pay raise for servicemembers, increased funding for the Basic Needs Allowance and funding for bonuses and new resources to help military families make ends meet. The bill also provides key investments in child care for military families, including $33 million to enable the Department of Defense (DoD) to offer a 50 percent discount for the first child of employees of DoD Child Development Centers and $94 million – a $66.5 million increase – to support full-day universal pre-K and double enrollment of children of servicemembers. The bill also provided $20 million in new funding for the renovation and repairs of DoD Child Development Centers. 

Additionally, the FY24 MilCon-VA Appropriations bill authored by Boozman and Murray included $23 million to expand the VA’s child care pilot program to eliminate barriers for veterans in need of child care while attending medical appointments, and $277 million to establish six new Child Development Centers to expand access to child care for military families.