Key Wins for NASA, FBI, Redstone included in Committee-Passed FY27 Commerce, Justice, Science Bill

WASHINGTON - Congressman Dale Strong, Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Commerce, Justice, and Science Subcommittee, secured critical provisions for North Alabama in the Fiscal Year 2027 bill, which passed out of the Committee on Wednesday.

"As Vice Chair of the Commerce, Justice, Science Subcommittee, I am proud to support this bill. It right-sizes and refocuses spending on the essentials - keeping our nation competitive and safe and advancing American superiority in space and science," said Representative Dale Strong. "This bill streamlines federal spending to focus on core pillars - national security, law enforcement, and American leadership in space and science - to ensure taxpayer dollars are reserved for mission-critical outcomes. In pushing back against wasteful spending, we are building a more accountable and efficient government that remains steadfast in its primary responsibilities to the American people."

As Vice Chairman, Strong worked to ensure North Alabama's priorities were included in the Fiscal Year 2027 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies appropriations bill.

The bill reaffirms North Alabama's role as a national hub for American space superiority by providing:

• $2.6 billion for the Marshall Space Flight Center-led Space Launch System, America's deep-space, human-certified rocket powering NASA's Artemis missions

• Up to $110 million for Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP), supporting the Administration's priorities for deep space exploration by advancing faster, more efficient crewed missions to Mars and beyond, while also strengthening U.S. national security and commercial space capabilities

• $2.2 billion for Marshall Space Flight Center's continued development of the Human Landing System (HLS), as the U.S. prepares for the upcoming Artemis III mission and HLS capability demonstration

• $1.4 billion to enhance and strengthen the Orion spacecraft used to transport Artemis astronauts on longer deep space missions

Advances North Alabama's Law Enforcement and Public Safety Missions by:

• Providing robust support for FBI Redstone's mission in North Alabama, ensuring they are able to continue to support and sustain the long-term strategic goals as the Bureau's premier hub for innovation and training

• Making critical investments into FBI Redstone's Counter-UAS missions, enhancing the Bureau's ability to detect, track, and respond to unauthorized drone activity that threatens national security

• Supporting the modernization of FBI Forensic and Ballistic Research facilities, located at Redstone Arsenal, to strengthen capabilities, improve evidence analysis, and enhance the FBI's ability to solve and prosecute violent crime across the country

Additionally, the bill advances key conservative priorities including:

• Strengthening Second Amendment protections and prohibiting the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' (ATF's) rules that target otherwise lawful gun ownership, such as the Biden-era rules on pistol braces

• Canceling progressive grant programs while maintaining strong support for state and local law enforcement

• Defunding Biden-era executive orders, rules, and memoranda - including ending wasteful DEI initiatives

The Fiscal Year 2027 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies appropriations bill now heads to the full U.S. House of Representatives for consideration.

###