Rep. Dale Strong: ‘Promises made, promises kept’ in 2025

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Dale Strong released his annual update on his legislative work and priorities for North Alabama.  

“Some of the most consequential wins in 2025 include securing the largest tax cut in  history for hardworking Americans, bringing U.S. Space Command to its rightful home,  delivering game-changing investments for Redstone Arsenal, Marshall Space Flight Center, Golden Dome and next-generation missile defense, and closing the southern border and  strengthening our homeland security,” said Strong (R-Huntsville). “In the year ahead, my focus will remain on turning conservative priorities into concrete results, championing North Alabama’s capabilities, and continuing our work to put more money back into the pockets of hardworking Alabamians.   

“This time last year, during my 2024 Year in Review, I said, ‘I refuse to sit back and allow such a blatantly political decision to put our  national security and key space programs at risk. Through an objective, fact-based process, Huntsville demonstrated that North Alabama is the best location to permanently house Space Command,'” Strong said. “Today, I proudly say: promises made, promises kept. 

“North Alabama has always been critical to our nation’s defense, and President Trump made clear that U.S. Space Command belongs where mission readiness comes first. I’m proud to have been a part of the process to bring Space Command HQ to its rightful home every step of  the way — first as chairman of the Madison County Commission and now as the congressman representing the home of Space Command. This has been one of the most rewarding achievements of 2025.”

This month, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth joined Alabama leaders at Redstone to unveil the sign at the site of the headquarters – marking a pivotal new chapter for Huntsville and Space Command.

Investing in America 

“The Working Families Tax Cut Act is delivering real relief for working families, strengthening  our economy, securing the border, and cutting wasteful spending,” Strong said. “This bill invests in North  Alabama’s space, defense, and manufacturing industries while putting more money back in  the pockets of families, farmers, and small business owners.”

Strong voted in favor of final passage of the Working Families Tax Cut Act. He said the legislation delivers major investments in North Alabama, including more than $4.2 billion for NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center to support the Space Launch System, Orion integration, and critical infrastructure upgrades.

It also provides $25 billion for the Golden Dome missile defense program at Redstone Arsenal as part of $150 billion in long-term national defense funding.

The bill locks in Alabama’s 6% hospital provider tax, creates a $50 billion national rural  health fund with over $500 million for Alabama, of which $203 million in first-year funding was awarded to the state just this month, and strengthens the farm safety net by raising reference prices and expanding access to affordable crop insurance.

Securing the homeland 

“Protecting our homeland requires constant vigilance across many fronts – from securing our  borders and preventing illegal crossings, to addressing emerging threats posed by drones, cyberattacks, and bioterrorism,” Strong said. “Our nation faces complex and evolving challenges, including drug and human trafficking, threats to mass gatherings and critical infrastructure, and risks to  our agricultural and food systems.

“We must ensure that we have strong laws, innovative  technology, and coordinated enforcement to safeguard our communities.”

Strong also introduced the National Training Center for Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act, to establish a national training center to improve coordination and readiness against malicious drone activity.

An executive order subsequently established the center, based on Redstone Arsenal and serves as the nation’s premier hub for preparing law enforcement and security professionals to detect, assess, and counter emerging threats posed by unmanned aircraft systems. 

Strong secured wins for Redstone Arsenal this year, including a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act to alleviate bottlenecks at the gates and ensure thousands of employees, contractors, and service members have secure, efficient access as Redstone’s mission continues to expand.  

He re-established the Army Aviation Caucus to advocate for critical funding for advanced capabilities and readiness for UAVs, traditional fixed-wing and rotary aircraft, and next-generation vertical lift military aviation programs.  

Strong also launched the House Golden Dome Caucus to advance Trump’s next generation missile defense initiative, strengthening homeland protection against ballistic, hypersonic, and advanced cruise missiles, as well as other evolving aerial threats, through policies, funding, and cutting-edge land- and space-based capabilities.

He said North Alabama’s pivotal role, anchored by Redstone Arsenal’s missile defense legacy, will drive Golden Dome’s success.  

Serving constituents 

“Unparalleled constituent services are my top priority, whether it’s helping constituents navigate federal agencies, supporting young people who want to serve our country, or honoring our veterans, I am proud of the results that my office and I have delivered for the Fifth District,” said Strong.

Strong hosted mobile office hours in 25 towns and municipalities across Alabama’s Fifth Congressional District to help constituents with federal casework and share concerns  directly with him and his staff.

“The events provide one-on-one assistance with federal agencies and ensure that all areas of our district have access to our office and its services,” he said.

In August, Strong hosted the Third Annual Strong Military Service and Academy Day at  Huntsville High School, connecting North Alabama students with representatives from U.S.  military service academies.

This year, the Fifth District ranked fourth nationally for the number of accepted West Point candidates from a single congressional district and second in the Southeast.

He also hosted a Vietnam War 50th Anniversary lapel pinning ceremony. The event honored more than 150 Fifth District veterans who served between 1955 and 1975.

In other veterans-related actions, Strong also obtained and presented commendations to the families of Richard Herman Carlile and Tessie Mae Seymour, who were posthumously awarded a Purple Heart Medal and a Congressional Gold Medal, respectively.

Other activities

• 1,300 constituents served through casework ranging from expedited passports and VA benefits to tax returns and social security benefits. 
• Over $7.2 million returned to constituents through casework.  
• 148,530 individual response letters sent to constituents. 
• 667 visits made across the district to meet with constituents, small businesses, manufacturers, and organizations. 

Investing in North Alabama 

Strong said returning taxpayer dollars back home remains a top priority. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, he has brought more than $24.7 million back to North Alabama in Community Project Funding alone. 

For Fiscal Year 2026, $6.2 million of Community Project Funding for the district has been signed into law through the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies bill.

This includes $5,175,000 for the Town of Ardmore to construct a groundwater treatment facility and $1,087,500 for the Town of Triana to make critical sanitary sewer upgrades.

As work continues on Fiscal Year 2026 bills, Strong said he is working to secure $29.7 million in additional funding for projects to address critical infrastructure and public safety needs across the district. With those projects secured, Strong will have advanced over $60 million in Community Project Funding for North Alabama. 

This year, Strong also celebrated the following funding victories as dollars moved from paper to projects: Bethel Road improvements in Limestone County; Jackson, Morgan, and Madison County sheriff’s offices getting new patrol vehicles; a new sewer pump station and gravity main in Priceville; and the Northern Bypass project to connect I-565 with Memorial Parkway North.

“Together, these projects show how targeted federal investments are making life safer and better for the people of North Alabama, while keeping taxpayer dollars working here at home,” he said.