Strong secures North Alabama wins in FY25 defense spending bill

WASHINGTON – A deep respect for North Alabama’s vital role in national security was on display this week when the U.S. House passed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025.

“The NDAA is critically important to Redstone Arsenal, the hundreds of service members, thousands of civilians, contractors, military retirees, and their families here in North Alabama,” said U.S. Rep. Dale Strong, a member of the House Armed Services Committee. “I am proud to support the NDAA’s investments in North Alabama which highlight the region’s importance to U.S. national security.

“This year’s NDAA is laser-focused on improving the quality of life for service members and their families. It restores focus on military lethality and deterrence of our adversaries, boosts oversight and accountability …”

The House voted 281-140 Wednesday to pass the NDAA.

Strong (R-Monrovia) also listed the provisions in the $895.2 billion defense bill that have an impact on North Alabama.

• Authorizes $17 million for a “Huntsville Readiness Center” for the Alabama National Guard.
• Directs a brief on the modernization needs of the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site, which is managed by the Army Space and Missile Defense Command at Redstone Arsenal.
• Authorizes $40 million for “Ground Test Facility Infrastructure” at Redstone Arsenal.
• Authorizes more than $200 million for research, development, test, and evaluation projects; operations and maintenance; and procurement within the Fifth Congressional District.
• Directs a brief on the impact to national defense as a result of the illegal seizure of the port infrastructure of Vulcan Materials’ quarry in Mexico.
• Establishes a pilot program for access to shared classified commercial infrastructure (i.e. SCIF locations) for small businesses and institutions of higher learning.
• Permanently authorizes DoD’s Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding of Innovative Technologies (APFIT) program, which has participant companies from Strong’s 5th Congressional District.
• Increases funding authorizations for developing and procuring counter-drone systems.
• Requires the establishment of guidance for middle-tier acquisition authority for rapid prototyping and fielding of new capabilities.
• Extends DoD’s authority to modify contracts for inflation.
• Requires the Army to provide a brief on the feasibility of adding a third commercial site for UH-60M recapitalization.
• Requires a DoD-wide approach to leveraging the advancements of the domestic and allied commercial battery industry.
• Establishes a pilot program for contracting officers to consider a wider range of products and services offered by small businesses and non-traditional defense contractors.
• Requires the DoD to produce a strategy for ensuring the industrial base can meet requirements for the production of solid rocket motors.
• Codifies the Military Spouse Career Accelerator to provide employment support to military spouses and breaks down barriers hindering professional license transfers between states.
• Improves the SkillBridge program to expand the number of private sector apprenticeships.
• Authorizes a 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted service members and a 4.5% pay raise for all other service members.
• Requires the DoD to implement a digital tool to allow military families living in on-base housing to request maintenance and track their requests.
• Codifies the Military Spouse Career Accelerator to provide employment support to military spouses and breaks down barriers hindering professional license transfers between states.
• Improves the SkillBridge program to expand the number of private sector apprenticeships.

“Rep. Strong fought hard to ensure that the FY25 NDAA improves the quality of life for Alabama’s servicemembers, strengthens our military, and supports the crucial role Alabama plays in our national defense,” House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers said. “I thank Rep. Strong for his continued leadership on the House Armed Services Committee.”