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Womack Votes to Bolster National Defense, Secures Additional Funding for Third District Priorities

Washington, June 13, 2024

Washington, DC—June 13, 2024…Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) voted in support of the Fiscal Year 2025 Defense Appropriations bill that passed out of the House Appropriations Committee today. This bill strengthens and modernizes U.S. defense capabilities, supports servicemembers and their families, and provides for Arkansas’ Third District priorities, all while exceeding President Biden’s budget request.

Congressman Womack said, “With increased threats at home and abroad, the Defense Appropriations bill focuses resources on the Pentagon’s core mission—delivering combat-ready military forces to deter our adversaries and protect our country. Our men and women in uniform will receive a well-earned pay raise, including a specific increase for junior enlisted servicemembers, the backbone of the Joint Force. It also includes additional funding for the Foreign Military Sales mission at Ebbing Air National Guard Base and vital defense research conducted in Arkansas. I’m pleased to see this legislation take an important step forward in becoming law today.”

Bill highlights:

  • Provides $36.743 million for Fort Smith’s Ebbing Air National Guard Base Foreign Military Sales mission.
  • Funds defense research initiatives at the University of Arkansas and across Arkansas’ Third District.
  • Prioritizes the fight against China.
  • Promotes innovation and modernizes our military.
  • Supports our troops by including a 4.5% pay raise for all servicemembers and an additional 15% pay raise for junior enlisted servicemembers.
  • Continues to optimize the Pentagon’s civilian workforce.
  • Enhances the Department of Defense’s role in countering the flow of illicit fentanyl and synthetic opioids.
  • Supports our close ally, Israel.
  • Withholds funds from initiatives and programs that are wasteful, inefficient, or do not contribute directly to our national security.

A summary of the bill is available here.

Bill text is available here.

Congressman Womack is a senior member of the Defense Subcommittee on Appropriations, Chairman of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee on Appropriations, and is a member of the Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee on Appropriations.