Two Air Force veterans from opposite sides of the political aisle will chair a new House Armed Services Committee panel on quality of life issues affecting military families and service members. 

Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), a retired USAF brigadier general and RC-135 pilot, chairs the panel, while Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Penn.) a former engineer and program manager in the missile defense field, will be the ranking member.  

Four issues will draw their focus to start, the two said June 14 at a Capitol Hill briefing:  

• Pay, especially for junior enlisted 
• Housing 
• Health care 
• Spouse employment and child care 

Transition issues after military service could be a future area of inquiry, Houlahan said.