Senator Schmitt Secures Major Wins for Missouri, America’s National Security in Government Funding Bill

WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement after the Senate passage of the government funding bill celebrating key wins he secured that will strengthen Missouri’s defense industrial base, America’s national security, and improve servicemembers’ quality of life.

“Missouri is a cornerstone of America’s national defense. Our state is home to some of the nation’s most capable warfighters and talented workers, who have built some of the greatest machines ever employed by the military. This appropriations bill reinforces Missouri’s role as a defense industrial hub, increases pay for all troops, rebuilds American air and naval dominance, and improves the daily lives of the men and women in uniform,” said Senator Schmitt.

Missouri Wins:

• $1.92 billion for the B-21 Raider, which will be based at Whiteman Air Force Base.
• $976 million for 6 C-130Js to go to the Air National Guard to recapitalize the unit in the MO National Guard.
• $500 million increase to the President’s budget for F-47 development in Boeing St. Louis.
• $129.5 million for the construction of 21 Missouri-made Joint Assault Bridges.
• $115 million to purchase an additional F-15EX from Boeing St. Louis.

Additional Wins:

• Dedicated Medical Research: $10 million for Tuberous Sclerosis Complex research; $12 million for epilepsy research.
• Pay Raise for All Servicemembers: 3.8% pay raise for all troops, plus a 10% rise for junior enlisted servicemembers.
• Strengthens American Posture in Indo-Pacific: $1 billion for the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative and $40 million for the International Security Cooperation Program with the Philippines.
• Rebuilding the American Fleet: $27.1 billion for shipbuilding, including $1.9 billion to produce Virginia-class submarines.
• Next Generation Fighter Jet: $1 billion for engineering and manufacturing developments for the next generation F/A-XX.

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