The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
Congressman Barry Moore speaking with a service member.
On Friday, Congressman Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) released a statement after voting in favor of the 2025 Defense Appropriations Act. Moore said that this legislation refocuses the Pentagon on what should be its core mission: delivering combat-ready military forces to deter conflict and ensure national security. This bill includes Moore's amendment to cut $4.91 million directed for climate change research and reallocate that funding to enhance Army unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs).
"We must ensure that the Pentagon is focused on keeping our military the strongest fighting force in the world in the face of increasing threats across the globe," said Rep. Moore. "This legislation steers us in the right direction by rejecting Biden's Green New Deal initiatives, woke policies, abortion travel funding, and $18 billion in wasteful spending. Instead, this bill funds priorities that truly fortify our military and improve the quality of life for our service members. A great deal of this funding will boost weapons and aviation technologies right here at home in Alabama."
Moore said that highlights of the 2025 Defense Appropriations Act include:
• Funds a 4.5% pay raise for all military personnel
• Provides $2.5 billion for an additional 15% pay increase for junior enlisted service members
• Provides millions for hypersonic weapons research and development in Huntsville, Alabama
• Allocates $1.14 billion for drug interdiction and counterdrug activities to slow the flow of illicit fentanyl
• Allocates over $1.3 billion for the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and select Defense-Wide innovation efforts to deliver capabilities from nontraditional sources, including small and medium-sized businesses.
• Cuts $621 million from President Biden's budget request for climate change initiatives
• Cuts $53 million from President Biden's budget request for diversity initiatives
• Prohibits the implementation, administration, or enforcement of the Biden Administration's executive orders on diversity, equity and inclusion
• Prohibits the promotion of critical race theory
• Prohibits paid leave and travel expenses for a federal employee or their dependents to obtain an abortion
• Prohibits mask mandates
The bill is sponsored by Congressman Ken Calvert (R-California) who chairs the Defense Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee.
"I am proud of this year's defense appropriations bill, which adheres to the fiscal constraints of the Fiscal Responsibility Act while providing a strong military to defend America, our allies, and partners," said Rep. Calvert. "As Chairman of the Defense Subcommittee, the FY25 bill continues my focus on deterring China's aggression with strategic investments in the Pacific, promoting innovation and modernization, optimizing the Pentagon's civilian workforce, increasing the Department's role in countering the flow of fentanyl into the U.S., and supporting our close ally, Israel. There's no greater responsibility than supporting our servicemembers and their families, which is why the bill includes a 4.5% pay raise for all military personnel, plus $2.5 billion towards an additional 15% pay raise for junior enlisted servicemembers. This bill procures where we can, trains where we must, and invests in capabilities that will make our adversaries wake up every day and say, "today is not the day to provoke the United States of America."
The legislation now awaits action by the U.S. Senate. The 2025 fiscal year begins on October 1.
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