House OKs defense spending bill with funding for N. Alabama programs

WASHINGTON — The massive National Defense Authorization Act, passed Wednesday by the Senate, was overwhelmingly approved today by the U.S. House in a bipartisan 310-118, with 45 Democrats and 73 Republicans opposing the measure.

The $886 billion Pentagon policy and funding package now goes to President Biden’s desk.

“I am proud to announce the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2024,” said U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Saks), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. “Our country faces more national security threats than ever, and it has never been more important to fund our defense. Yet, the Biden Administration continues to attempt to use the military as a conduit for leftist political initiatives.

“This bill refocuses our military on lethality, establishes rigorous oversight on Biden’s DOD, and cements Alabama’s place as a leader in national security.”

The legislation includes funding for Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville and the Lockheed Martin hypersonic missile program in Courtland.

“The NDAA provides authorization for funding of every aspect of the United States military,” said U.S. Rep. Dale Strong (R-Monrovia). “This year’s NDAA ensures that U.S. military readiness remains at the highest level, combats aggression by the Chinese Communist Party, guts the Biden Administration’s woke policies & DEI bureaucracy, and increases oversight of U.S. taxpayer dollars to minimize waste. 

“The bill also makes significant investments in North Alabama and is yet another example of the importance of the region to U.S. national security. I will continue to fight for the people of Alabama’s Fifth District and ensure that everyone knows our nation is made safer by North Alabama.” 

Measures that directly benefit North Alabama include:

• Blocks the move of SPACECOM Headquarters to Colorado.
• 5.2% pay raise for the more than 37,000 servicemembers stationed in Alabama.
• More than $500 million in funding authorizations for research, development, and the continued improvement of Redstone Arsenal. 
• More than $120 million for DoD research and development projects throughout Alabama, including the Tennessee Valley

“Today, I voted in favor of this year’s National Defense Authorization Act, the NDAA, authorizing critical funds for our nation’s military,” said U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville). “I am proud to support a 5.2% pay raise for our troops, directing the Department of Defense to help secure our Southern border, and scrutinizing the Biden Administration’s politicized basing decision that would deny the U.S. Space Command its rightful and preferred home in Alabama.

“On top of all of that, we’ve continued our support for hypersonics being built right here in … Courtland.”