The U.S. House has approved its $900 billion version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), emphasizing global deterrence and strategic competition with China. The bill includes significant investments in South Dakota, particularly at Ellsworth Air Force Base, which is preparing for the arrival of the B-21 Raider stealth bomber.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune praised the bill for strengthening the Air Force fleet and authorizing funding for new fighter jets and the B-21 program. Military construction at Ellsworth is set to more than double—from $177 million to $378 million—while the B-21 program itself receives over $3.4 billion in procurement funding.
Rep. Dusty Johnson highlighted the return of a nuclear mission to South Dakota, calling the B-21 “the nuclear bomber for our country” and framing the bill as a “peace through strength act” in response to China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific.
Beyond Ellsworth, the bill allocates $28 million for a new Army National Guard vehicle maintenance shop in Watertown and supports munitions production tied to South Dakota’s defense sector.
Nationally, the NDAA includes a 3.8% pay raise for service members and reforms to accelerate military tech acquisition. The Senate is reviewing its own $925 billion version, with final reconciliation expected later this year.
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