Huntsville Leader

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 8070, the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25), by a vote of 217-199. Representative Dale W. Strong (AL-05), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, voted in favor of the bill.

“This year’s NDAA is laser-focused on supporting our service members and ensuring they have what they need to keep our country safe. Once again, the NDAA will make a positive and direct impact to support the crucial work done here in North Alabama,” said Representative Dale W. Strong.

The defense bill emphasizes improving the quality of life for service members and their families while focusing on restoring military lethality and deterring adversaries.

“No service member should have to decide between serving their country or providing for their family. We must do better for the men and women who choose to fight for our country, especially our junior enlisted,” said Strong.

The FY25 NDAA authorizes millions of dollars in funding for military construction projects, including $159.7 million for five Alabama projects, with $88 million allocated to Redstone Arsenal. The bill addresses several key areas:

Service Member Quality of Life:

- Provides junior enlisted with a 19.5% pay raise and a 4.5% pay raise for all service members, including 26,000 in Alabama.

- Expands DoD programs that provide employment support to military spouses, including 4,400 in Alabama.

- Mitigates childcare staffing shortages and eliminates fee assistance wait lists for eligible families seeking off-base childcare; 8,000 children of military families call Alabama home.

- Expands access to specialty healthcare providers and supports efforts to employ additional mental health providers.

- Authorizes Veteran Service Organizations to participate in the Transition Assistance Program.

Acquisition Reform and Industrial Base Readiness:

- Modifies portions of the DoD’s milestone process to reduce redundant documentation burdens.

- Establishes a Cross Functional Team to implement multi-year planning, budgeting, and execution processes for the DoD.

- Increases U.S. investment in domestic munition production capacity.

Strengthens Missile Defense and Space Capabilities:

- Reverses the Biden administration’s decision to cease production of Standard Missile 3 Block 1B interceptors assembled at Redstone Arsenal.

- Directs establishment of a third continental missile defense site to bolster homeland defense from long-range missile threats.

- Continues support for investment in innovative commercial space solutions to increase capacity and resiliency in space.

- Fully authorizes funding for the National Security Space Launch program.

Secures the U.S. Homeland:

- Fully authorizes funding for deploying National Guard troops to support border patrol activities at the U.S. Southwest Border.

- Expands DoD authority to assist law enforcement with narcotic trafficker interdiction.

Deters U.S. Adversaries:

- Increases funding authorization for innovative technologies aimed at deterring China’s Communist Party, including hypersonics, micro nuclear reactors, and high-energy lasers.

- Bars DoD from providing security assistance to the Taliban.

- Directs DoD assessment of pre-launch missile defeat capabilities against threats from Iran and its proxies.

- Prohibits Chinese and Russian nationals from being admitted into sensitive nuclear facilities.