FORT SMITH, Ark. — The U.S. House of Representatives approved a defense bill on Dec. 11 that included funding for Fort Smith’s Ebbing Air National Guard Base.
The Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025 authorizes more than $895 billion for national security.
The extensive bill includes funding for the construction of Ebbing's Academic Training Center, which would support the F-35 Foreign Military Sales program. Rep. Steve Womack's office confirmed the bill authorizes $74 million for Ebbing.
Since the NDAA is an authorization bill, Congress will still need to pass an appropriation bill and the president must sign it into law before it is officially approved.
Womack, who supported the bill, emphasized its importance in a press release, calling it vital for national safety, security, and the strength of the armed forces.
"Passing the NDAA is vital to the safety and security of our homeland and strength of America’s armed forces," Womack said. "This year’s legislation aims to deter adversarial threats abroad and bolster defense capabilities nationwide — including in Arkansas — while improving the quality of life for servicemembers and their families."
What else is included in the bill?
The bill authorizes a 1% increase in defense spending, a 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted service members, and a 4% pay raise for other service members to hopefully address concerns over military pay competitiveness, as well as adding new resources for childcare and housing.
Looking to strengthen deterrence against China, the defense policy bill also calls for investing $15.6 billion to build military capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region. Additionally, it seeks to expand joint military exercises with Israel and prohibit the Pentagon from citing Hamas' casualty data.
The bill would prohibit funding for teaching critical race theory in the military and prohibit TRICARE health plans from covering gender dysphoria treatment for children of military members if that treatment could result in sterilization.
With the bill passing the House with a 281-140 vote, it will now head to the Senate for consideration.
Overall, 81 House Democrats ended up voting for the bill and 124 against it. On the Republican side, 200 voted for the bill and 16 against.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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