South Dakota Congressmen share excitement for defense policy bill

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – On Wednesday, the U.S. Senate passed the annual National Defense Authorization Act or the NDAA. South Dakota’s Congressional delegation applauded the bill and what it means for South Dakotans.

Over $900 billion of defense spending and policy changes were passed by a vote of 77-20. It includes some compromises between parties, but South Dakota’s delegation vouched for addressing needs in the state and providing better opportunities to students of South Dakota colleges and universities.

South Dakota Air Force and National Guard locations are getting major upgrades. Ellsworth Air Force Base will receive a total of $378 million to support the newly authorized B-21 Raider stealth bomber program. $28 million will go to the Army National Guard Vehicle Maintenance Shop in Watertown.

Senator Mike Rounds said there has been a need for upgrades in Watertown for some time and it was a welcome addition to the bill.

“We try not only to take care of the full-time operations going on with things at Ellsworth Air Force Base, but for the National Guard, they also have needs of upgraded facilities to take care of the equipment that they’re responsible for,” Rounds said.

Majority Leader Senator John Thune and Representative Dusty Johnson agreed.

“In addition to authorizing a well-deserved pay raise for our service members, this bill strengthens the important role that South Dakota plays in keeping our nation safe by continuing to prepare Ellsworth Air Force Base for the arrival of the B-21 Raider and authorizing a new facility for the South Dakota Army National Guard in Watertown,” Thune said in a release.

“This defense package ensures America’s military remains the strongest in the world,” Johnson added in a statement of his own. “It keeps our military men and women focused on military readiness and ensuring peace through strength. I’m grateful for its investment in South Dakota and the B-21, which will be an incredible addition to our fighting force.”

Senator Rounds also touted what he called a win for South Dakota colleges and universities. Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities, or SCIFs, allow for greater partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense and the ability to share more confidential information within research.

Under the new NDAA, South Dakota universities are given a greater opportunity to partner with the DoD. Dakota State would strengthen its current SCIF status and other schools that have remained interested will get their chance to partner. According to Rounds, South Dakota School of Mines, South Dakota State University and the University of South Dakota have all expressed interest.

“To allow young men and women who want to either go into the military or who have a particular field of expertise to be able to stay at their university location and communicate back and forth with folks in the Washington, DC area or elsewhere on a very private or confidential basis,” described Rounds.

Despite polarizing politics, Rounds said this annual bill brings together those from both sides of the aisle.

“It shows that Republicans and Democrats do work together on certain issues and the defense of our country is one of them,” explained Rounds. “This bill also provides a 3.8 percent increase in salary policy for the young men and women that serve our country. Both of which, I believe, are very positive and items I think the citizens of South Dakota clearly care about.”

Thursday evening, President Donald Trump officially signed the bill into law. The next step would be appropriations acts to authorize the spending.

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