Alabama's entire congressional delegation voted on Wednesday to pass the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) despite pushback over a provision banning funding for so-called gender-affirming care for minors.
The House voted 281-140 in favor of the NDAA, sending it to the Senate for deliberation. The NDAA typically passed with less partisanship, leading most to blame the late-added transgender healthcare provision. The Senate currently still has a Democratic majority, making a holdup over the transgender healthcare provision more likely. However, since the NDAA passed the House without strict party-line voting, the bill is still expected to pass the Senate.
House Armed Services Committee chairman U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Saks) was reportedly unhappy that House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) did not consult him before adding the provision in the House version of the NDAA. However, he still supported the provision in principle.
Johnson touted the provision that applies to TRICARE, the health care program for service members, that states, "Medical interventions for the treatment of gender dysphoria that could result in sterilization may not be provided to a child under the age of 18."
Currently, TRICARE covers hormone therapy and psychological counseling for gender dysphoria, including for beneficiaries.
The 2025 NDAA included several key wins for North Alabama, which hosts Redstone Arsenal and some of the state's largest weapons manufacturers.
U.S. Rep. Dale Strong (R-Huntsville), who represents the area, boasted of the Alabama-based wins secured for Alabama in the defense budget.
"This year's NDAA is laser-focused on improving the quality of life for service members and their families," Strong said. "It restores focus on military lethality and deterrence of our adversaries, boosts oversight and accountability, and guts funding for woke ideology at the Defense Department."
"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. I am proud to support the NDAA's investments in North Alabama which highlight the region's importance to U.S. national security."
The NDAA provisions directly affecting North Alabama include:
$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 U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command at Redstone Arsenal.
$40 million for "Ground Test Facility Infrastructure" at Redstone Arsenal.
More than $200 million for research, development, test, and evaluation projects; operations and maintenance; and procurement within AL-05.
Directs a brief on the impact to U.S. national defense as a result of the illegal seizure of the port infrastructure of Vulcan Materials' quarry in Mexico.
Rogers likewise praised Strong's work on the NDAA and the provisions secured for Alabama.
"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," Rogers said. "I thank Rep. Strong for his continued leadership on the House Armed Services Committee."
U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) also applauded the budget's passage, highlighting the continued funding provided for Israel, which he called "our greatest ally."
"Our servicemembers and their families have sacrificed for this country, and they deserve to be treated with the respect and care they have earned," Moore said. "This year's NDAA ensures they have better pay and stronger support while equipping our military to confront threats from China and Iran. This legislation also reaffirms our commitment to Israel, our strongest ally in the Middle East. Fighting to support our men and women in uniform is my highest priority, and they will always have my unwavering support."
Alabama's lone Democrat in the House, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Birmingham), stated she voted in favor of the NDAA while still expressing concern over provisions put in the bill "for political purposes, accusing House Republicans of "playing politics with our national defense."
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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