Washington, D.C. – Congressman Jake Ellzey, member of the Defense Subcommittee, proudly announces the successful passage of the Fiscal Year 2025 Defense Appropriations Act. This critical legislation secures a total discretionary allocation, marking an increase over the Fiscal Year 2024 level, and aligns with the Fiscal Responsibility Act's limits.

Refocusing on the Core Mission

The Defense Appropriations Act emphasizes the Pentagon's primary objective: ensuring combat-ready military forces to deter war and protect national security. It removes funding for divisive social agendas that distract from this mission.

Strategic Oversight and Reallocation

Through rigorous oversight, the bill rejects a significant amount of unjustified items from the President’s Budget Request, reallocating those funds to counter threats from the People’s Republic of China and other near-peer adversaries, foster innovation, combat the flow of fentanyl and illegal drugs, and support servicemembers and their families.

Key Highlights

1. Countering China:

• Allocates funds for Taiwan's security cooperation.
• Prevents early retirement of critical naval and air force assets, including three ships, the U-2, and select F-15s.
• Increases investments in 5th and 6th generation aircraft like the F-35.
• Supports the Pacific Deterrence Initiative to enhance U.S. capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region.

2. Promoting Innovation and Modernization:

• Funds the Office of Strategic Capital to leverage private capital for emerging technologies.
• Allocates substantial resources for the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and related efforts.
• Provides significant funding for the APFIT program to expedite new technologies to the warfighter.
• Invests in next-generation aircraft, helicopters, combat vehicles, and submarines.
• Supports modernization of the nuclear triad.

3. Supporting Servicemembers and Families:

• Funds a pay raise for all military personnel.
• Provides additional pay increases for junior enlisted servicemembers.
• Protects National Guard missions from unauthorized transfers to the Space Force.

4. Optimizing Civilian Workforce:

• Cuts a substantial amount from the civilian workforce budget.
• Ensures the Pentagon focuses on technology over manual processes where appropriate.
• Reduces funding for advisory and assistance contractors.

5. Combating Illicit Fentanyl:

• Allocates significant resources for drug interdiction and counterdrug activities.
• Increases funding for the National Guard Counterdrug Program.
• Transfers Mexico to U.S. Southern Command jurisdiction for better coordination.

6. Supporting Israel:

• Provides funding for Israeli Cooperative Missile Defense Programs.
• Allocates resources for U.S.-Israeli anti-tunneling cooperation.
• Provides funding for counter-UAS and directed energy cooperation.

7. Core Responsibilities Focus:

• Cuts significant amounts from non-essential items to fund warfighting needs and support servicemembers.
• Reduces funding for climate change and diversity initiatives.
• Prohibits funds for housing illegal immigrants on military installations and for certain social agendas.

8. Upholding American Values:

• Prohibits paid leave for abortion-related services.
• Protects against religious discrimination.
• Ensures security clearance integrity and prohibits contracts with biased entities.
• Prevents COVID-19 vaccine and mask mandates.
• Prohibits funding for the Wuhan Institute of Virology and EcoHealth Alliance.

“This bill comes at a time of global conflict,” said Ellzey. “Alongside the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act, the House has delivered a clear message to the American people and our foreign adversaries: we are refocusing on the core mission, we are prioritizing lethality in our military, and we are protecting the American people. I was proud to stand beside my colleagues in support of such critical legislation.”