{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://strong.house.gov/media/press-releases/2025-review", "2025 in Review", "2025-12-30", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Dale W. Strong", "S001220", "strong.house.gov", "strong", "https://strong.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Representative Dale Strong released the following update on his legislative work and priorities for North Alabama during the first year of the 119th Congress:\n\n\u201cSome of the most consequential wins in 2025 include securing the largest tax cut in history for hardworking Americans, bringing U.S. Space Command to its rightful home, delivering game-changing investments for Redstone Arsenal, Marshall Space Flight Center, Golden Dome and next-generation missile defense, and closing the southern border and strengthening our homeland security,\u201d said Representative Dale Strong.\n\n\u201cIt has been a great year with a Republican majority and President Trump leading the way,\u201d Strong continued. \u201cIn the year ahead, my focus will remain on turning conservative priorities into concrete results, championing North Alabama\u2019s capabilities, and continuing our work to put more money back into the pockets of hardworking Alabamians.\u201d\n\n2025 CONSTITUENT SERVICES\n\n1,300 constituents served through casework ranging from expedited passports and VA benefits to tax returns and social security benefits.\n\nOver $7.2 million returned to constituents through casework.\n\n148,530 individual response letters sent to constituents.\n\n667 visits made across AL-05 to meet with constituents, small businesses, manufacturers, and organizations.\n\n25 Mobile Office Hour events in communities across North Alabama, including Pisgah, Elkmont, and Trinity, among others.\n\nTied fourth nationally for the total number of cadets accepted to West Point from a single congressional district and second in the Southeast region.\n\nReached 177,163 constituents through telephone town halls.\n\nWELCOMING SPACE COMMAND\n\n\u201cThis time last year, during my 2024 Year in Review, I said to you all:\n\n\u2018I refuse to sit back and allow such a blatantly political decision to put our national security and key space programs at risk. Through an objective, fact- based process, Huntsville demonstrated that North Alabama is the best location to permanently house Space Command. I look forward to new leadership in the White House, who will put America\u2019s national security needs before politics.\u2019\n\nToday, I proudly say: promises made, promises KEPT,\u201d said Strong.\n\n\u201cNorth Alabama has always been critical to our nation\u2019s defense, and President Trump made clear that U.S. Space Command belongs where mission readiness comes first. I\u2019m proud to have been a part of the process to bring Space Command HQ to its rightful home every step of the way \u2014 first as Chairman of the Madison County Commission and now as the Congressman representing the home of Space Command. This has been one of the most rewarding achievements of 2025.\u201d\n\nIn September, President Trump announced that U.S. Space Command will establish its permanent headquarters at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, a decision driven by national security priorities and mission readiness. Earlier this month, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth joined Alabama leaders at Redstone to unveil the sign at the site of the future headquarters location \u2013 marking a pivotal new chapter for Huntsville, Alabama, and Space Command.\n\nINVESTING IN AMERICA\n\n\u201cThe Working Families Tax Cut Act is delivering real relief for working families, strengthening our economy, securing the border, and cutting wasteful spending. This bill invests in North Alabama\u2019s space, defense, and manufacturing industries while putting more money back in the pockets of families, farmers, and small business owners,\u201d said Strong.\n\nCongressman Dale Strong voted in favor of final passage of the Working Families Tax Cut Act, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill. The legislation delivers major investments in North Alabama, including over $4.2 billion for NASA\u2019s Marshall Space Flight Center to support the Space Launch System, Orion integration, and critical infrastructure upgrades. It also provides $25 billion for the Golden Dome missile defense program at Redstone Arsenal as part of $150 billion in long-term national defense funding.\n\nThe bill locks in Alabama\u2019s 6% hospital provider tax, creates a $50 billion national rural health fund with over $500M for Alabama, of which $203M in first-year funding was awarded to the state just this month, and strengthens the farm safety net by raising reference prices and expanding access to affordable crop insurance.\n\nThe legislation made permanent the largest tax cut in history of 22%, increasing take-home pay for a typical family of four by $7,600 to $10,900 per year. It ends federal taxes on tips, overtime pay, and interest on loans for American-made vehicles, and provides additional tax relief for seniors with a $6,000 bonus deduction.\n\nSECURING THE HOMELAND\n\n\u201cProtecting our homeland requires constant vigilance across many fronts \u2013 from securing our borders and preventing illegal crossings, to addressing emerging threats posed by drones, cyberattacks, and bioterrorism. Our nation faces complex and evolving challenges, including drug and human trafficking, threats to mass gatherings and critical infrastructure, and risks to our agricultural and food systems. We must ensure that we have strong laws, innovative technology, and coordinated enforcement to safeguard our communities,\u201d said Strong.\n\nAs a member of the Committee on Homeland Security and Chairman of the Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology, Congressman Strong led several legislative efforts aimed at addressing the threats to our homeland, including the Research Security and Accountability in DHS Act to strengthen research security within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS); SHIELD Against CCP Act to better assess and coordinate efforts to counter threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party; and the DHS Biodetection Improvement Act to evaluate and strengthen DHS\u2019s biodetection strategy \u2013 all of which passed the House with bipartisan support.\n\nCongressman Strong prioritized countering unmanned aircraft threats by again introducing the National Training Center for Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act, to establish a national training center to improve coordination and readiness against malicious drone activity. Executive Order 14305 subsequently established the Center, which is based on Redstone Arsenal and serves as the nation\u2019s premier hub for preparing law enforcement and security professionals to detect, assess, and counter emerging threats posed by unmanned aircraft systems.\n\nAs a member of the Task Force on Enhancing Security for Special Events in the United States, he is conducting oversight of security preparations for major upcoming international events, including the FIFA Club World Cup (2025), the Ryder Cup (2025), the FIFA World Cup (2026), the United States\u2019 250th anniversary (2026), and the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles (2028).\n\nDEFENDING NATIONAL SECURITY\n\n\u201cI came to Congress to protect and defend our national security; safeguarding our national security requires investing in a strong national defense. As the United States faces unprecedented threats from our adversaries, such as China, Russia, and Iran, we must continue to ensure our warfighters are equipped with the best available tools and resources,\u201d said Strong.\n\nCongressman Strong secured wins for Redstone Arsenal this year, including a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act to alleviate Redstone Arsenal Gate bottlenecks and ensure that the thousands of employees, contractors, and service members who travel through these gates have secure, efficient access as Redstone\u2019s mission continues to expand.\n\nStrong re-established the Army Aviation Caucus to advocate for critical funding for advanced capabilities and readiness for UAVs, traditional fixed-wing and rotary aircraft, and next-generation vertical lift \u2013military aviation programs that support our military readiness.\n\nHe also launched the House Golden Dome Caucus to advance President Trump\u2019s next-generation missile defense initiative, strengthening homeland protection against ballistic, hypersonic, and advanced cruise missiles, as well as other evolving aerial threats, through policies, funding, and cutting-edge land- and space-based capabilities. Strong says North Alabama\u2019s pivotal role, anchored by Redstone Arsenal\u2019s missile defense legacy, will drive Golden Dome\u2019s success.\n\nSERVING CONSTITUENTS\n\n\u201cUnparalleled constituent services are my top priority, whether it\u2019s helping constituents navigate federal agencies, supporting young people who want to serve our country, or honoring our veterans, I am proud of the results that my office and I have delivered for the Fifth District,\u201d said Strong.\n\nCongressman Strong hosted Mobile Office Hours in 25 towns and municipalities across Alabama\u2019s Fifth District to help constituents with federal casework and share concerns directly with him and his staff. These events provide one-on-one assistance with federal agencies and ensure that all areas of our district have access to our office and its services.\n\nIn August, Strong hosted the Third Annual Strong Military Service and Academy Day at Huntsville High School, connecting North Alabama students with representatives from U.S. military service academies. This year, the Fifth District ranked fourth nationally for the number of accepted West Point candidates from a single congressional district and second in the Southeast.\n\nIn August, Congressman Strong hosted a Vietnam War 50th Anniversary lapel pinning ceremony. The event honored more than 150 Fifth District veterans who served between 1955 and 1975, continuing Strong\u2019s efforts to recognize and thank our local Vietnam veterans for their service and sacrifice.\n\nOther significant veteran\u2019s casework achievements this year include securing and having the honor of presenting commendations to the families of Mr. Richard Herman Carlile and Ms. Tessie Mae Seymour, who were posthumously awarded a Purple Heart Medal and a Congressional Gold Medal, respectively.\n\nINVESTING IN NORTH ALABAMA\n\nReturning taxpayer dollars back home remains a top priority for Rep. Strong. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, he has brought more than $24.7 million back to North Alabama in Community Project Funding alone.\n\nFor Fiscal Year 2026, $6.2 million of Community Project Funding for AL-05 has already been signed into law through H.R. 5371, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies bill. This includes $5,175,000 for the Town of Ardmore to construct a groundwater treatment facility and $1,087,500 for the Town of Triana to make critical sanitary sewer upgrades.\n\nAs work continues on Fiscal Year 2026 bills, Congressman Strong is working to secure $29.7 million in additional funding for projects to address critical infrastructure and public safety needs across the district. With those projects secured, Representative Strong will have advanced over $60 million in Community Project Funding for North Alabama.\n\nThis year, Congressman Strong also celebrated the following funding victories as dollars moved from paper to projects: Bethel Road improvements in Limestone County; Jackson, Morgan, and Madison County Sheriff\u2019s Offices getting new patrol vehicles; a new sewer pump station and gravity main in Priceville; and the Northern Bypass project to connect I-565 with Memorial Parkway North. Together, these projects show how targeted federal investments are making life safer and better for the people of North Alabama, while keeping taxpayer dollars working here at home.\n\nKEY LEGISLATION INTRODUCED BY REP. STRONG\n\nNational Training Center for Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act \u2013 H.R. 709 \u2013 Established by Executive Order 14305\n\nA bill to establish a national counter-UAS training center that brings federal, state, and local partners together to strengthen coordination and improve the ability to detect and stop malicious drone threats to critical infrastructure and mass gathering events.\n\nThe Center, established by President Trump\u2019s Executive Order, is now operational on Redstone Arsenal. Its first class of trainees graduated in November 2025.\n\nNo More Funding for NPR Act of 2025 \u2013 H.R. 1146 \u2013 Successfully Defunded NPR via H.R. 4\n\nA bill to prohibit federal funding for National Public Radio. This legislation would prevent taxpayer dollars from going to the organization, which has a history of biased political and ideological reporting.\n\nSHIELD Against CCP Act \u2013 H.R. 708 \u2013 Passed the House\n\nA bill to establish a dedicated effort within the Department of Homeland Security to assess and counter threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party to the homeland, including risks related to cybersecurity, critical infrastructure, supply chains, and border and transportation security.\n\nDHS Biodetection Improvement Act \u2013 H.R. 706 \u2013 Passed the House\n\nA bill to expand federal support for spaceport infrastructure so the U.S. can modernize space transportation facilities that serve civil, commercial, and national security needs.\n\nSERVICE Act of 2025 \u2013 H.R. 3312\n\nA bill to support veterans by leveraging their training and experience through specialized law enforcement response teams that improve emergency response and connect veterans in crisis with appropriate support services.\n\nProtecting America\u2019s Agricultural Land from Foreign Harm Act of 2025 \u2013 H.R. 1438\n\nA bill to prohibit the purchase or lease of U.S. agricultural land by individuals associated with the governments of China and other designated foreign adversaries.\n\nPromoting American Patriotism in Our Schools Act \u2013 H.R. 1351\n\nA bill requiring all elementary and secondary schools receiving federal funding to recite the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of each school day, display the United States flag in all classrooms and gymnasiums, and incorporate educational materials on the history and significance of the American flag.", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://strong.house.gov/media/press-releases/2025-review"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.439990010112524, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}