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Rep. Jerry Carl: Bolstering national security and improving the lives of our troops



Last week, my colleagues and I walked through a bill on the Appropriations Committee to ensure our nation's security on all fronts. The Homeland Security Appropriations Act and the State Affairs, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS) Appropriations Act reject Biden's far-left policies that fail to deliver on our core mission of keeping America safe and defending our nation from external threats.

Additionally, this year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) improves the lives of our service members through pay increases and a variety of programs to improve the lives of military families.

Americans cannot stand by and watch as the number of illegal border crossings soars while the current administration stands by and allows illegal crossings to occur. The FY25 Homeland Security Appropriations bill fully addresses the border chaos Biden has created, including allocating $600 million to complete construction of the southern border wall. The bill calls on Secretary of Homeland Security Mayorkas to enforce the law and stop migrants from illegally crossing the border by installing physical barriers. The bill also cuts wasteful budgetary spending requested by the Biden administration, including cutting more than $650 million in spending on immigration-related services.

The SFOPS Appropriations Act of 2025 delivers on our promise to protect our national security, support our allies, and defend freedoms around the world.

This bill includes funding for Israel's counterterrorism efforts and for countering China in the Indo-Pacific region. It also includes provisions to prevent drugs like fentanyl from entering America and devastating our communities. And it ensures that religious freedom is protected and democracy is advanced abroad.

Improvements to military life are long overdue, and I am proud that this year's NDAA addresses issues like inadequate pay, poor housing, and lack of resources for spouses and children, including a 19.5% pay increase for junior enlisted members and a 4.5% pay increase for all other military members.

The health of our defense core is vital to our nation's security. That's why we've expanded job opportunities and child care services for hardworking, dedicated men and women. This bill is truly an investment in our military and in America.

Ensuring America's national security has always been one of my top priorities, and I am proud to support these three bills because they are a step closer to putting America first.

By closing our borders, cutting wasteful spending, and improving the lives of the men and women of our military, my colleagues and I are determined to put America back on the right track.

Jerry Carl represents Alabama's 1st Congressional District and resides in Mobile with his wife, Tina.

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