Massive U.S. defense bill includes billions for Missouri, troop raises and $200m for new C-130Js

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The U.S. House has signed off on a massive defense policy bill with a record $901 billion in military spending, setting the stage for troop raises, significant military upgrades in Missouri and a boost to the 139th Airlift Wing in St. Joseph.

The 2025 National Defense Authorization Act passed by a tally of 312-112 and now heads to the U.S. Senate for approval, which is expected next week. Under the bill, U.S. servicemembers will see a 3.5% pay raise, with an additional $1.5 billion authorized for new construction of barracks and family housing.

“We have to ensure our military remains the most lethal, most effective fighting force in the world,” U.S. Rep. Sam Graves, R-Mo, said. “To do that, we have to give our troops the tools they need to fight and win — while supporting them and their families at home and abroad."

Graves, a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee which devised the bill, said important victories were secured for the country and North Missouri in the process, including fostering development of a Domestic Operations Tactics Training Center for C-130J aircrews at Rosecrans and encouraging the expansion of C-130J simulator training, including training at the 139th Airlift Wing.

Nearly $2.5 billion was authorized for the procurement of B-21 long-range bombers at Whiteman Air Force Base, including $33 million for military construction to support it.

The bill also includes $15.5 million to partner with private sector and academic institutions like UMKC to develop and demonstrate technologies needed for the domestic production of critical materials from domestic mineral sources. The measure falls in line with the U.S.'s goal of strengthening domestic production and reducing its dependency on foreign countries or trading partners for critical materials.

"I’m proud to have worked in the House Armed Services Committee to ensure this year’s defense bill does just that, while also supporting the vital mission of the 139th Airlift Wing in St. Joseph and good-paying skilled jobs at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant in Independence.”

While no funding was allocated specifically for new C-130J models for the 139th Airlift Wing in St. Joseph, $200 million was authorized for procurement of two C-130Js for the Air National Guard fleet as a whole, aircraft that could potentially go to St. Joseph.

"I hope that those are designated for Saint Joe. I hope they end up in Saint Joe. We did a whole lot of stuff in this bill that's going to help Saint Joe out in a big way," Graves told News-Press NOW.

Just as important for the 139th Airlift Wing and its fleet of C-130s are new protections through FY28, including the minimum inventory requirement and the prohibition on reducing Air National Guard C-130 aircraft.

The bill does much to highlight the strategic warfighting training done at the Advanced Airlift Tactics Center at Rosecrans, as well as the 139th Airlift Wing’s expertise in responding to domestic disasters and training crews in advanced airlift tactics.

The bill requires annual reports to be submitted through Fiscal Year 2028 on C-130 inventory, retirements, modernization and recapitalization efforts, and basing plans for fielding C-130Js for the Air National Guard.

Military investments planned for Missouri:

• Ensures plan to recapitalize the 442nd Fighter Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base.
  
• $2.5 billion for procurement of B-21 long-range bombers, which will be based at Whiteman Air Force Base.
  
• $407 million to manufacture MQ-25 Stingrays in St. Louis
  
• $576 million to modernize and sustain F/A-18E/Fs and EA-18Gs in St. Louis
  
• $50.6 million to produce the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet in St. Louis
  
• $33 million for military construction at Whiteman Air Force Base to support the B-21 bomber
  
• $132.6 million for the Joint Assault Bridge, made in Bridgeton
  
• Nearly $700 million for small arms ammunition produced or will be produced at Lake City Army Ammunition Plant.
  
• Another $1 billion for small arms facilities modernization, including Lake City Army Ammunition Plant.