Final FY27 Spending Bill Passes Committee, Delivers for National Security, North Alabama
WASHINGTON — Representative Dale Strong, a member of the Appropriations Committee, applauded the Committee's passage of the Fiscal Year 2027 Defense bill, which marks the twelfth of twelve bills passed by the Committee. The bill enhances America’s strategic military advantage, strengthens support for service members and military families, optimizes the Department of Defense, disrupts transnational drug trafficking, and delivers on Trump Administration priorities.
“This bill delivers historic investments in missile defense, hypersonic weapons, military modernization, defense innovation, and domestic manufacturing — priorities that strengthen Redstone Arsenal's mission, support North Alabama's workforce, and ensure the United States remains prepared to confront evolving threats around the globe,” said Representative Dale Strong.
“The passage of our annual defense appropriations bill fulfills our commitment to keep America safe and ensure the U.S. military remains the strongest fighting force in the world. Recent conflicts have highlighted the pressing need to acquire and produce the munitions, weapons, and technology our troops require to meet the moment in both modern and future warfare, said Defense Subcommittee Chairman Ken Calvert. "I commend Representative Strong for his tireless advocacy for strengthening America's national security. His deep understanding of the warfighter’s needs, along with the critical capabilities being developed at Redstone Arsenal, has been a valuable contribution to the Subcommittee's work. Strong’s leadership and forward-thinking approach have helped ensure America remains ahead of evolving threats. I appreciate his partnership and his continued commitment to strengthening our national security.”
SUPPORTS REDSTONE ARSENAL AND NORTH ALABAMA
Advances priorities directly aligned with Redstone Arsenal's core missions, including missile defense, Army modernization, weapons development, defense innovation, and advanced research
Supports the military, civilian, and contractor workforce that makes North Alabama one of the nation's leading centers for national security and defense technology
Reinforces North Alabama’s position as a premier hub for missile defense, Army acquisition, aerospace innovation, and industrial base growth
STRENGTHENS AMERICA'S MILITARY ADVANTAGE
Provides a total discretionary allocation of $1.072 trillion for national defense, ensuring the United States maintains the strongest and most capable military in the world
Invests $248.3 billion in procurement to modernize military equipment, acquire advanced weapons systems, and strengthen combat readiness
Provides $221.01 billion for Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) to accelerate next-generation military capabilities and enhance America's technological advantage
SUPPORTS OUR SERVICE MEMBERS AND MILITARY FAMILIES
Provides a military pay raise of 7% for all military personnel ranked E-5 and below, 6% for E-6 to O-4, and 5% for O-4 and above
Increases funding support of critical services such as the Military and Family Life Counseling program, supporting readiness and resilience
$60 million for STARBASE, a youth outreach program aimed at enhancing students' abilities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)
ACCELERATES DEFENSE INNOVATION
Focuses investments into defense innovation by providing $1.1 billion for the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and $600 million for the Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding of Innovative Technologies (APFIT) program to rapidly field capabilities to the warfighter
Maximizes support for advanced artificial intelligence, scaled directed energy, biomanufacturing, contested logistics, and battlefield information dominance to preserve U.S. military superiority
REBUILDS THE DEFENSE INDUSTRIAL BASE
Improves America’s industrial capabilities by providing over $2.9 billion for the Defense Production Act (DPA), Office of Strategic Capital (OSC), and Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS)
Provides robust funding to procure new-entrant low-cost munition systems while introducing critical multiyear procurement authority
Strengthens domestic manufacturing, expands critical supply chains, prohibits the destruction of surplus firearms or spent brass, and helps ensure rapid scale-up of weapons production capacity
Supports the highly skilled workforce, research institutions, and defense manufacturers that help drive North Alabama's economy and national security mission
The bill now heads to the full U.S. House of Representatives for consideration.
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