$895 Billion National Defense Authorization Act

Supporting the passage of the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), that amounts to $895 billion, was Republican House Speaker, Mike Johnson of Shreveport. His 4th Congressional District envelops both Barksdale and Fort Johnson. Mike Johnson acknowledged the NDAA as significantly instrumental for the 4th Congressional District’s economic bolstering and fortifying the national security and military readiness of the United States.

Securing Louisiana’s Military Future

According to Congressman Clay Higgins, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, the bill consolidates U.S. Navy assets located in the state and fortifies the Louisiana National Guard. “In Louisiana, we’re strengthening our workforce by securing the procurement of several Navy vessels… we’re also leading in emerging technologies with autonomous systems”, said the Lafayette congressman.

A Controversial Passage

Despite its usually bipartisan support, the bill faced major opposition as it included conservative priorities such as banning the use of taxpayer dollars to fund abortions, gender transition surgeries, and drag shows on military bases. U.S. Rep. Troy Carter of New Orleans, the state’s only Democrat in Congress, voted against the bill citing these inclusions as harmful to military readiness and the rights of service members.

Investment Allocation

Below is a snapshot of the funding allocated to various crucial military bases and programs in Louisiana:

Barksdale Air Force Base:

• $22 million for a childcare development center
• Fully authorizes funding for modernization of the nuclear triad, two-thirds of which are commanded, trained and equipped at Barksdale
• Requires the Air Force to conduct an analysis of the manning at Air Force Global Strike Command to ensure adequate personnel

U.S. Air Force B-52 Program:

• $1.2 billion for modernization and sustainment of the B-52 Bomber program
• Authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force to increase the number of B-52s capable of carrying nuclear weapons
• Requires a brief to Congress on B-52 modifications to improve airborne electronic attack capabilities

Fort Johnson:

• $22 million designated for barracks
• $116 million for a new Joint Operations Center

More Infrastructure Funding:

• $12 million for the Navy’s 40-foot patrol boat program
• $30 million for the Navy’s Yard, Repair, Berthing, Messing (YRBM) vessel program
• Emphasis on development of autonomous platforms for small unmanned surface vessels
• $33 million for the Louisiana National Guard’s Lafayette Readiness Center

Author: HERE Shreveport