On Friday, the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) released its 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which outlines military spending and provides guidance for the coming fiscal year. U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) secured several provisions in the final draft that benefit Alabama.
Under the NDAA, the Senate will prohibit funds "to construct or improve the temporary SPACECOM facilities in Colorado Springs" along with limiting "the Secretary of the Air Force's travel budget until a final headquarters location has been made."
Tuberville says this provision will "help accelerate the decision-making process and put pressure on the Biden administration to finally put politics aside and bring SPACECOM headquarters to Huntsville, which the Air Force selected over 59 locations on the basis of 21 objective criteria."
Other provisions secured by Tuberville include "millions of dollars in contracts for Alabama's defense industrial base" and encouraging the Department of Defense to "source more critical minerals and military component production from the United States." Alabama produces several of these critical minerals.
"This is the land of the free because it's the home of the brave," Tuberville said in a statement. "Our freedom and our security depend upon the effectiveness and lethality of our military. Our heroes in uniform deserve a defense bill that gives them the resources, the authority, and the policies that enable them to defend this country. Alabama is proud to play a major role in defending this nation because we play a key role in defense production and, above all, because of the brave Alabamians who wear the uniform. It is my honor to serve on this Committee and to help Alabama serve our national defense."
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