Jason Delgado
Military projects in Northwest Florida may soon get a $600 million boost under a defense spending bill OK’d by the U.S. House Armed Services Committee.
Under the House’s version of the National Defense Authorization Act, roughly $359 million is slated for construction projects at Eglin Air Force Base.
Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz highlighted the passage Friday, saying the money will support facility upgrades and more.
Gaetz represents the 1st Congressional District and is a member of the House Armed Services Committee.
Those upgrades, he said, may “attract” more opportunities to the air station.
“I applaud Northwest Florida’s major funding victories in this legislation,” Gaetz said in a news release. “Our community is proud of our contribution to the fight. With this historic financial commitment to Eglin, we are poised to attract even more military mission, strengthening our local economy and our nation’s defenses.”
Among the initiatives at Eglin, $70 million is designated for the construction of F-35 jet hangars and $20 million is slated for upgrades to the Eglin Gulf Test and Training Range.
“Eglin’s F-35 mission will specifically benefit from hangar construction funds to support additional aircraft,” Gaetz said.
Additionally, $91 million is earmarked to fund improvements on weapons testing infrastructure.
Not least, Gaetz highlighted a proposed 2.7% raise for active-duty service members. He is further pursuing a raise for the housing allowance afforded to troops in Northwest Florida.
The bill now moves to the House floor for a vote. The U.S. Senate, meanwhile, is moving forward with a separate spending proposal.
The House’s National Defense Authorization Act increases defense spending by roughly $24 billion.
Gaetz’s military victory lap comes as federal authorities investigate the Panhandle congressman on allegations of sex trafficking.
Gaetz, accused of sex trafficking of a 17-year-old, has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
A Fort Walton Beach man, accused by Gaetz of extortion, was indicted last week after the Justice Department said he promised a presidential pardon to someone in exchange for millions of dollars.
