HYDE-SMITH SUPPORTS FY2025 DEFENSE FUNDING BILL THAT FORTIFIES MISSISSIPPI’S NATIONAL SECURITY CONTRIBUTIONS

HYDE-SMITH SUPPORTS FY2025 DEFENSE FUNDING BILL THAT FORTIFIES MISSISSIPPI'S NATIONAL SECURITY CONTRIBUTIONS

Senate Appropriations Committee Approves FY2025 Defense Appropriations Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today supported committee passage of the FY2025 Defense Appropriations Bill, which departs from President Biden's budget request and in doing so fortifies the role Mississippi plays in defending the nation and its interests.

Hyde-Smith serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee that unanimously approved the defense spending measure that increases funding for the U.S. Department of Defense activities by more than $18 billion over the president's budget request. Hyde-Smith worked with the committee to advocate for work conducted in Mississippi.

"Our defense bill recognizes that the threats and challenges to our nation, our interests, and our allies continue to grow by the day. We back up those concerns with significant new funding not sought by President Biden so that our defense leaders have the resources they require to protect us," Hyde-Smith said. "We produced a strong bill that will allow Mississippi shipbuilders, manufacturers, and innovators to do more for the cause of defending the United States. I look forward to the Senate taking up, debating, and passing this important bill.

Hyde-Smith provided the following review of FY2025 Defense Appropriations Bill highlights for Mississippi:

Shipbuilding: Mississippi plays a tremendous role in supporting U.S. naval forces and special operations groups. The bill adds a significant investment of $37 billion, to build up U.S. shipbuilding capabilities, including:

• $61.1 million to complete the Combat System Availability for DDG-1002
• $4.7 billion to procure two DDG 51 ships
• $42 million for Advanced Procurement for future DDG 51 ships
• $500 million for LPD 33 design and construction
• $195 million for Advanced Procurement for LHA 10
• $7.0 million for Combat Craft Assault Craft
• $695 million to support multi-year procurement of three future amphibious ships that is estimated to result in more than $900 million in savings
• $76 million for procurement of an Auxiliary Personnel Lighter berthing barge

Critical Components: Mississippi is also a leader in building and providing crucial components to the services for ground and air equipment. The bill provides:

• $10 million for production of Type I All Terrain Cranes
• $10 million for UH-72 lifecycle sustainment and modernization
• $850 million to procure and update Abrams Tanks
• $60 million for solid rocket motors production
• $15 million for the Buckeye- High Resolution 3-Dimensional Program
• $3.0 million for Mobile Armed Forces Advanced Trauma Training

Research, Development, and Innovation: Mississippi is at the forefront of innovation and national security, with its universities and companies playing a pivotal role in research and development for the Department of Defense. From cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions and groundbreaking aerospace technologies, these entities are contributing invaluable expertise to ensure our warfighters remained equipped and prepared for the challenges of tomorrow. This bill provides:

• $150 million in Research, Development, Testing and Evaluation funding to be executed in Mississippi.

National Guard Counter-Drug School: Mississippi is proudly home to one of five National Guard Counter Drug Schoolhouses. The Regional Counterdrug Training Academy provides training on drug interdiction, counterdrug activities, and reduction and prevention techniques to law enforcement agencies throughout the United States. The bill provides:

• $26 million for National Guard Counter-Drug School activities.

Hurricane Hunters: At Hyde-Smith's request, the bill includes language supporting the continued operations of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, known as the "Hurricane Hunters," which fly out of Keesler Air Force Base, Biloxi.

Taking Care of Service Members and Their Families: The bill includes numerous provisions that support military service members and their families. It fully funds a 4.5 percent military pay raise for service members and a 5.5 percent pay raise for junior enlisted service members. The bill also provides $24 million for the United Service Organization.

Deterring Adversaries and Supporting Allies: The bill provides funding to deter and counter China's growing military capability and counterterrorism activities. It recommends $500 million for U.S.-Israeli Cooperative Programs and $49 million to continue training and engagement with our Taiwanese military partners.

The FY2025 Defense Appropriations Bill is now available for consideration by the full Senate this fall. It adheres to the statutory caps on discretionary funding established under the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023.

This bill is among four FY2025 approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee today, with 11 of 12 annual spending bills now available for debate by the full Senate. The panel is expected to take up the FY2025 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill in September.

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