Submitted by United States Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana
WASHINGTON (December 18, 2024) – Senator John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today voted in favor of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes $536.3 million for Louisiana military projects.
“This year’s defense bill is investing heavily in our national defense because America’s strength is the best way to deter our enemies. Louisiana is home to patriots who produce the ships and train the troops that keep the homeland safe. That’s why I made sure that more than $530 million in defense investments could head to our communities very soon,” said Kennedy.
Kennedy supported authorizing the following:
- $200 million to the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans in Belle Chasse, La. for the purchase of two KC-130J aircrafts.
- $116 million to the Fort Johnson Army Base in Vernon Parish for the construction of a Joint Operations Center.
- $105 million to the Fort Johnson Army Base to build new housing for troops.
- $33 million to the National Guard Readiness Center in Lafayette, La. for administrative, training and material storage spaces.
- $30 million to the U.S. Navy to purchase Yard, Repair, Berthing, Messing (YRBM) vessels, some of which are produced by Conrad Shipyards in Morgan City, La. YRBMs house sailors while their ships are being repaired.
- $22 million to the Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier Parish to improve and expand its day care facility.
- $12 million to the U.S. Navy for the purchase of 40-foot patrol boats, many of which are made by Metal Shark Boats in Jeanerette, La.
- $5.7 million to the U.S. Navy for the purchase of a ship-to-shore connector vessel, many of which are made by Textron in Slidell, La.
This year’s NDAA also helps ensure that the sole maker of large, medium-speed marine diesel engines, Fairbanks Morse, which has operations in Shreveport, La., continues to operate and provide Louisiana jobs.
- The bill also:
- Bans transgender medical treatments for service members’ children.
- Provides a 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted service members and a 4.5% pay raise for all other service members.
- Requires that the Department of Defense partners with Israel to beat back Hamas, Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations by developing technology and anti-tunnel cooperation programs.