House Approves Giant Defense Bill with Lots of Money for Construction Projects

On a vote of 363 to 70, the House of Representatives has passed the massive National Defense Authorization Act.

The $768 billion bill includes $3.5 billion for military construction projects across the country, authorizing around $25 billion more in spending than was originally asked for by President Biden.

The construction projects include $14.2 million for a missile assembly support facility at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.

The Holloman Air Force Base, 6 miles to the southwest of Alamogordo, is in line to receive just over $140 million for three separate facility projects; while the Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque is set for $138 million, also for three facility projects.

The act additionally provides funding for dozens of barracks and family housing construction projects in a variety of states.

Also in the bill: $30 million for the construction of a fitness center at the Schriever Air Force Base near Colorado Springs.

The legislation includes pay raises for troops, stepped-up funding to upgrade the country’s nuclear arsenal, and money for the Air Force to procure 48 new F-35s.

Previous defense authorization acts have won approval in both houses of Congress by overwhelming margins.

The measure is now on its way to the U.S. Senate, where it is expected to be passed in the next week.

By Garry Boulard

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