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In the News

KFSM: Congress approves defense bill including funding for Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith

The $895 billion bill includes funding for the construction of the Ebbing Air National Guard Base Academic Training Center.

Dec 26 2024

FORT SMITH, Ark. — Congress approved a defense bill that included funding for Fort Smith’s Ebbing Air National Guard Base. The Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025 authorizes more than $895 billion for national security. 

It was passed with a 281-140 vote in the House on Dec. 11 and an 85-14 vote in the Senate a week later.

Lawmakers representing Arkansas like Womack, Cotton, and Sen. John Boozman backed the bill. Womack called the NDAA vital for national safety, security, and the strength of the armed forces.

In addition to enhancing national security, Boozman, who led provisions in the bill for Ebbing, said it also extends support to military personnel. 

"Providing for our national defense is one of Congress’ primary responsibilities, particularly at an incredibly volatile time around the globe," Boozman said. "That begins with supporting our military personnel and their families with better pay, housing, childcare, and other opportunities as well as improving recruitment efforts, enhancing our capacity to deter threats from adversaries, investing in our defense industrial base and ensuring readiness and lethality are the Pentagon’s main focus. This bill does just that, including through vital missions and defense industrial support in Arkansas, and I’m pleased it is now headed to the president’s desk to become law."

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