Barracks Repairs, Other Military Quality-of-Life Improvements Slam Into Congress' Upcoming Budget Fight

Lawmakers have promised that 2024 will see a major focus on military quality-of-life issues, including persistent problems with crumbling, unhealthy barracks.

But efforts to replace dilapidated housing and improve service members' quality of life could be kneecapped before they can even get off the ground by political fighting over the federal budget.

Congress is starting this year with a leftover battle over spending levels for the rest of the fiscal year, which began in October. Lawmakers, whose holiday break goes until next week, are now facing two fast-approaching deadlines to reach a spending deal or else cause government agencies to shut down.