Britt announces $1B in Alabama defense appropriations

U.S. Senator Katie Britt shared this week she’s secured nearly $1.1 billion in defense and military funding for Alabama her first year in office as a member of the Committee on Appropriations.

Last week, Britt joined colleagues in advancing the FY2024 Defense Appropriations Act – which provides a total of $831.3 billion in discretionary funding for the Department of Defense. Her office says those funding priorities will supercharge military readiness, combat illegal drug trafficking, modernize the defense industrial base, advance munitions procurement, and support service members and their families.

“I will always fight to ensure our military remains the best trained, equipped, and resourced in the world,” Britt said.

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“This legislation provides critical funding to support our armed forces and strengthen our modern national defense capabilities, and it recognizes the importance of capabilities, synergies, and installations in the great state of Alabama that vitally contribute to keeping our homeland safe, strong, and free.”

Among those Alabama priorities she promoted includes $645 million in funding that directly supports the defense communities in every corner of the state – from research and development in hypersonics, to direct energy, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing. 

Britt also said she secured hundreds of millions of dollars for Abrams tank restoration at Anniston Army Depot.

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“I’m proud to support efforts that put the security of hardworking American families first and ensure that we achieve peace through strength, especially in light of continued aggression from foreign adversaries such as the Chinese Communist Party, Russia, and Iran,” Sen. Britt said. 

The FY2024 Defense Appropriations Act now moves to the full Senate for consideration.

Grayson Everett is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @Grayson270