Sen. Tommy Tuberville has helped secure more wins for the state through his work on the Senate Armed Services Committee.
On Thursday, the Senate passed the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act. With the House passing the bill last week, it will go to President Biden’s desk and he is expected to sign it.
Tuberville said having the world’s foremost military is imperative to the country’s success and safety.
“The importance of passing a strong NDAA cannot be understated,” he said. “ To maintain our role as the world’s leading superpower, we must also maintain the world’s most modern, prepared, and lethal ability.
“Bolstering our force and military capabilities ensures we are ready to defeat any enemy at any time.”
Tuberville spoke about some of the provisions that will help Alabama in the new legislation.
“Alabama has been at the forefront of America’s national defense network for decades,” he said. “More than 50,000 Alabamian service members and Department of Defense civilian officials work around the clock to defend the United States.
“The FY23 NDAA expands resources for our state to continue that work and provides for crucial updates and additions to America’s military.”
Production will increase to replenish the nation’s Javelin missile stockpile. The Troy-manufactured system has been used with great success by Ukraine in its war against Russia.
Tuberville was also able to help secure millions of dollars in funding for Redstone Arsenal: $150 million for an Advanced Analysis Facility for the Missile and Space Intelligence Center, $53 million to the FBI for new warehouses, and $44 million for a physics laboratory.
The bill provides for additional tanks for the Anniston Army Depot and Chinook, Black Hawk and Apache helicopters for Fort Rucker.
In light of attempts to force the early retirement of several Mobile-built Littoral Combat Ships, Tuberville supported a provision to require the commander of U.S. Southern Command to assess potential benefits of assigning four–six LCSs to the combatant command.
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News
