Washington D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.), a dedicated member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, played a vital role in the recent approval of several appropriations bills by the Senate. These bills cover a wide range of areas, including Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, as well as Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies.
The legislation, which passed with an 82-15 vote, carries significant implications for Alabama, directly appropriating over $500 million to address various vital state priorities. Among these crucial allocations, the bills contain several notable conservative provisions, such as the prohibition of future mask mandates and measures to prevent American taxpayer funds from reaching the hands of the Chinese Communist Party.
Senator Britt expressed her pride in supporting these substantial victories that will greatly benefit Alabama’s military installations, veterans, family farmers, and local communities. These bills prioritize critical investments in national defense, support for servicemen and women, and the promotion of 21st-century opportunities across the state. In her statement, Senator Britt emphasized her commitment to ensuring that more of Alabamians’ hard-earned taxpayer dollars return to the state, reinforcing Alabama’s future and its continued appeal as a welcoming home for generations to come.
Furthermore, on the Senate floor, Senator Britt cast her vote in favor of an important amendment put forth by Senator J.D. Vance (R-Ohio). This amendment seeks to prevent the U.S. Department of Transportation from implementing or enforcing mask mandates on various modes of transportation, including airplanes, railroads, buses, and public transit. Notably, Senator Britt is a co-sponsor of Senator Vance’s Freedom to Breathe Act, a related piece of legislation introduced earlier this year.
In addition to her support for the appropriations bills, Senator Britt also backed an amendment presented by Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), which strives to ensure that no funding appropriated by the legislation ends up benefiting entities or corporations controlled by the Chinese Communist Party.
The Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies bill will provide nearly $434 million for Alabama’s military installations and introduce a new accountability requirement for the U.S. Air Force in response to the Administration’s decision regarding the Space Command Headquarters. The allocations for Alabama military projects under this bill include funding for Fort Novosel, Maxwell Air Force Base, and Redstone Arsenal. These investments cover a wide range of essential facilities and infrastructure to support the military.
Additionally, the bill includes almost $326 million for various Alabama priorities, supported by Senator Britt, such as military housing privatization, an F-35 Ops Building, substation power projects, Army Reserve Centers, and ground test facility infrastructure.
The Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies bill also boasts nearly $40 million, secured with Senator Britt’s support, to modernize and upgrade transportation infrastructure in local communities across Alabama. These investments are expected to enhance road safety, stimulate economic development, and generate employment opportunities.
Senator Britt is proud to support funding for the National Scenic Byways program and the Appalachian Development Highway System, which includes the Birmingham Northern Beltline, a project vital for the state’s infrastructure development.
Finally, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies bill incorporates numerous Alabama agriculture priorities advocated by Senator Britt. These priorities include addressing Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), continuing the National Feral Swine Damage Management program, and funding research to combat drought conditions impacting peanut farmers in Alabama and across the nation.
Moreover, Senator Britt collaborated across party lines with Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.) to include an amendment that focuses on creating a streamlined and uniform process for tracking and disclosing foreign investments in American farmland through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The bill also allocates significant federal resources for rural utilities and rural development programs under the U.S. Department of Agriculture, supporting infrastructure improvements and economic development in rural communities.
With the successful passage of these appropriations bills on the Senate floor, the legislation is now expected to advance to a conference committee for further consideration and potential refinement.
