{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=8C0178E7-1BDE-4EAC-9DBB-218A06A36586", "McConnell Praises Passage of National Defense Legislation with Major Kentucky Wins", "2025-12-17", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "KY", "Mitch McConnell", "M000355", "www.mcconnell.senate.gov", "mcconnell", "https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) praised Senate passage of the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which authorizes funding to train and equip America\u2019s 21st-century military to meet evolving security threats. The bill includes authorization of critical investments secured by Senator McConnell for Kentucky\u2019s military installations and other key defense priorities. With this legislation now on its way to President Trump for his signature, the priorities articulated in the NDAA now depend on passage of full-year defense appropriations.\n\n\u201cPassage of this legislation positions our servicemembers stationed in Kentucky to receive the equipment, training, and resources they need to address the threats facing our nation,\u201d said Senator McConnell. \u201cRepresenting the men and women of the Armed Forces serving in Kentucky is one of my greatest privileges. We owe a special obligation to those who volunteer to serve our country in uniform, and I will continue to support them in the United States Senate.\u201d\n\nBlue Grass Army Depot\n\nSenator McConnell, Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, secured a key provision that safeguards the future of Blue Grass Army Depot (BGAD) in Madison County. This legislation protects BGAD and other military installations from being closed by the Department of Defense without Congressional notification and a full evaluation of local and strategic consequences. It also requires the Secretary of the Army to provide Congress with an annual report on BGAD and other installations \u2013 arsenals, depots and ammunition plants \u2013 referred to as the Army\u2019s Organic Industrial Base (OIB).\n\nSenator McConnell also secured measures that encourage the Department of Defense to bring new missions to BGAD. These measures direct the Secretary of Defense to study the feasibility of expanding domestic propellant production and support the establishment of an additional artillery munition production line within the Army\u2019s OIB.\n\n\u201cFor years, I\u2019ve worked with local leaders to complete the chemical weapons disposal mission at BGAD,\u201d said Senator McConnell. \u201cNow that the mission is complete, we\u2019re focused on building a new future for the Depot\u2014expanding its world-class facilities and unlocking new economic opportunities for Central Kentucky. With the NDAA\u2019s passage, the Army is now positioned to help shape that future mission.\u201d\n\n\u201cSenator Mitch McConnell\u2019s leadership has once again delivered real results for Madison County and for our nation\u2019s defense. Throughout the NDAA process, Senator McConnell championed measures that not only protect Blue Grass Army Depot from closure, but actively encourage the Department of Defense to expand propellant manufacturing and artillery munition production right here at BGAD. This is exactly the kind of forward-looking investment we have been advocating for during my tenure\u2014one that strengthens national security while creating hundreds of good-paying jobs for our community. I am grateful to Senator McConnell and our federal delegation for their continued partnership and commitment to protecting and growing this critical Madison County asset,\u201d said Madison County Judge Executive Reagan Taylor.\n\nAdditional Kentucky Priorities in the NDAA\n\nSenator McConnell also secured several provisions throughout the NDAA process that support the Commonwealth\u2019s role as a cornerstone of America\u2019s national defense:\n\nAuthorization for a new $45 million air traffic control tower at Fort Campbell, replacing the aging existing structure.\n\nSupport for the Army\u2019s procurement of advanced Ultra-Lightweight Camouflage Net Systems.\n\nEncouragement for the potential use of the Land-Based Phalanx Weapon System to defend Air Force bases.\n\nSupport to our Nation\u2019s Servicemembers and U.S. National Security NDAA\n\nIn addition to these Kentucky-specific victories, the NDAA also authorizes the following provisions to support our service members and to deter American adversaries:\n\nAuthorization of a well-deserved 3.8% pay raise for service members.\n\nOverhauls the defense acquisition bureaucracy to speed support defense innovation and accelerate the Defense Department\u2019s procurement of critical weapon systems and munitions.\n\nReauthorizes the Ukraine Security Initiative and formally authorizes the Baltic Security Initiative.\n\nProhibits the drawdown of American forces in Europe and South Korea below certain levels and reinforces U.S. defense partnerships with Taiwan, the Philippines, and Israel.", 1, "2026-04-01T05:41:29Z", "2026-04-01T05:42:36Z"]], "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://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=8C0178E7-1BDE-4EAC-9DBB-218A06A36586"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.3235919177532196, "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"}