Senator Mitch McConnell, the Senate Republican Leader and Senior Senator from Kentucky, announced on March 8 the passage of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024 through the United States Senate. President Joe Biden signed the Bill into law a day later, March 9, with it officially becoming law on March 15.
The bill, titled H.R. 4366, was initially introduced into the United States House last June and includes $84.17 million in military spending in the state, which is spread across different military bases such as Fort Campbell and Fort Knox. The bill also includes additional funding for military projects in Burlington, Greenville, and Frankfort.
In a Press Release (PR), McConnell stated, “From Russian aggression in Europe to Iran-backed terrorism in the Middle East to competition with China, the United States cannot be caught unprepared in the face of these growing threats. Addressing our national security challenges begins with investing in American hard power at home.” He continued, “This year’s government funding legislation makes a needed down payment on our waning defense industrial base, engineering a new ammunition warehouse at Blue Grass Army Depot and expanding this facility’s important mission. It also devotes significant resources to upgrading our military capabilities and training facilities at Fort Campbell, Fort Knox, and the Kentucky National Guard, further solidifying Kentucky’s central role in our nation’s defense abroad.”
Other elected officials praised the bill in the PR as well. Walker Thomas, a State Representative and Chairman of the Kentucky House Committee for Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Protection, stated, “Investments like those included in this Appropriations Act are a hallmark of Leader McConnell’s service to our Commonwealth and nation. Without a doubt, he understands the need to support the men and women who serve in the Kentucky National Guard by improving the facilities they depend on to fulfill their mission. As Chair of Kentucky’s House Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Protection Committee, I can tell you this $25 million allocation will make a tremendous impact on our National Guard for years to come. On behalf of the committee and Commonwealth, I appreciate the Leader’s commitment to securing this funding.”
President Biden, upon signing the bill into law on March 9, stated in a PR, “Thank you to Leaders Schumer and McConnell, Senators Murray and Collins, Speaker Mike Johnson, Leader Jeffries and Representatives Granger and DeLauro, for their leadership.”
The Law also provides funding for the U.S. Forest Service to have an additional $3 million in Land Between the Lakes, KY. The bill also gives details to the Forest Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regarding other nature-related projects.