{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-blake-moore-introduces-legislation-to-provide-qualified-hazardous-duty-area-designation-for-mali-burkina-faso-kenya-and-chad", "Congressman Blake Moore Introduces Legislation to Provide Qualified Hazardous Duty Area Designation for Mali, Burkina Faso, Kenya, and Chad", "2025-03-20", "2025", "2025-03", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Blake D. Moore", "M001213", "blakemoore.house.gov", "blakemoore", "https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u00ad\u2013 Congressman Blake Moore (R-UT) introduced bipartisan legislation to extend the Qualified Hazardous Duty Area (QHDA) designation to Mali, Burkina Faso, Kenya, and Chad, ensuring that U.S. servicemembers stationed in these high-risk areas receive critical tax exclusion benefits. This bill comes alongside bipartisan support from fellow lawmakers and endorsements from leading military organizations, including the Special Operations Association of America and the Military Officers Association of America.\n\n\u201cIt has been my priority on the Ways and Means Committee to represent the interests of our military servicemembers through commonsense tax policies like this,\u201d said Congressman Moore. \u201cThe Sahel region poses acute threats to the American homeland, and our servicemembers stationed there should be given every possible leg up from Congress. At a time when terrorist activity in the Sahel is ramping up and Russian mercenaries are stalking the region to exert their influence, now is the time to provide this low-cost tax exclusion to uniformed Americans putting their lives on the line.\u201d\n\nThe QHDA designation allows servicemembers deployed in hazardous areas to exclude their compensation from federal taxes. Currently, only countries where servicemembers receive Imminent Danger Pay (IDP) are eligible for this designation. Mali, Chad, Kenya, and Burkina Faso have already been designated as IDP areas.\n\nThe Sahel region is witnessing increased activity from violent extremist organizations and political instability, including numerous military coups and ongoing instability in neighboring countries. With the withdrawal of French partner forces, U.S. military personnel in the region are now operating with limited additional support, including medical evacuation services. This legislation provides much-needed support for the relatively small number of U.S. servicemembers deployed in the region, bringing the total estimated cost to just $3 million over the next decade. The bill ensures that when a country is no longer designated for IDP, the QHDA designation will automatically end, ensuring that the benefits are provided only as long as necessary.\n\nThis legislation has been introduced alongside Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Congressman Austin Scott (R-GA), Congressman Brad Schneider (D-IL), Congressman Trent Kelly (R-MS), Congressman Richard Hudson (R-NC), Congressman Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Congressman Zach Nunn (R-IA), Congressman Rich McCormick (R-GA), Congressman Pat Fallon (R-TX), Congressman Mark Messmer (R-IN), Congressman Don Davis (D-NC), Congressman Derrick Van Orden (R-WI), Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (R-VA), Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), Congressman Seth Moulton (D-MA), and Congressman Cory Mills (R-FL).\n\n\u201cThe Sahel region is facing increasing threats from violent extremist organizations and mercenary groups, including Russian proxies, and our servicemembers are operating in extremely dangerous conditions,\u201d said Congressman Panetta. \u201cThis legislation acknowledges the sacrifices our men and women in uniform make every day to bring stability to a region marked by political instability and rising threats. Providing this tax benefit is a small way to honor their service and ensure they are supported while serving in these high-risk environments.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs our foreign adversaries expand their influence in the Sahel, the risk to our servicemembers in that region increases,\u201d said Congressman Scott. \u201cIt only makes sense that they receive benefits that reflect that risk.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Sahel has emerged as the epicenter of global terrorism, accounting for over half of terrorism-related deaths worldwide and posing unprecedented threats to security and stability,\u201d said Congressman Schneider. \u201cOur servicemembers stationed in this region confront escalating violence and increasingly complex threats every day, often under conditions as dangerous as combat zones. This bipartisan effort acknowledges their sacrifices by extending well-deserved tax benefits, recognizing their bravery and commitment as they serve on the front lines of this critical global security challenge.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Sahel region of Africa has become a hotspot for global instability, with our servicemembers facing increasing danger and violence in the region every day,\u201d said Congressman Carbajal. \u201cAs threats continue to grow, extending tax benefits to the troops serving there is a simple and necessary step. I\u2019m proud to support this vital legislation to honor their service.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur servicemembers in high-risk areas sacrifice so much for our country, they deserve nothing less than our unwavering support,\u201d said Congresswoman Kiggans. \u201cAs threats in the Sahel region of Africa continue to rise, we must do everything in our power to take care of our troops on the ground working to neutralize terrorist activity and restore peace and stability. Providing tax exclusion benefits to our brave servicemembers stationed in dangerous areas like the Sahel is a no brainer. I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing this important legislation to support the men and women in uniform who risk so much to serve our great nation.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur servicemembers face an increasingly deadly and complex threat landscape in the Sahel region of Africa,\u201d said Congressman Nunn. \u201cTheir fight against extreme terrorists and Russian mercenaries is critical to peace and stability in the region and we\u2019re here to support their mission all the way. This bipartisan effort extends critical tax benefits for our troops in high-risk areas and I\u2019m proud to join my colleagues to support our men and women in uniform.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs a Marine officer who has spent time in hazardous theaters, I understand the added pressures and risks that are incurred,\u201d said Congressman McCormick. \u201cOur service members in the Sahel are operating in an increasingly dangerous environment, facing threats from terrorist organizations, Russian mercenaries, and political instability. The Qualified Hazardous Duty Area designation rightly recognizes their sacrifice and ensures they receive the benefits they have earned. This is a common-sense measure to support those who put their lives on the line for our national security.\u201d\n\n\u201cToday, there is no sanctuary for service members \u2013 at home or abroad. This legislation is far overdue and is displayed from the bi-partisan veteran co-sponsors,\u201d said David Cook, Executive Director, Special Operations Association of America (SOAA). \u201cThe Special Operations Association of America applauds Congressman Panetta and the all-star cast of veteran Members for bringing this legislation to Congress in a region where US Special Operations Forces are heavily engaged.\u201d\n\n\u201cServicemembers serving across Africa confront substantial and shifting obstacles and hazardous conditions as they collaborate with our regional allies,\u201d said MOAA President and CEO Lt. Gen. Brian T. Kelly, USAF (Ret). \u201cExtending tax benefits to our personnel operating in this challenging and risky environment aligns with other priorities and geographic areas where our military serves to safeguard our nation and ensure international stability. MOAA appreciates the bipartisan leadership of the House in championing this legislation to recognize and compensate troops facing well beyond normal hazardous conditions.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T00:15:27Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-blake-moore-introduces-legislation-to-provide-qualified-hazardous-duty-area-designation-for-mali-burkina-faso-kenya-and-chad"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.7224911134690046, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}