WASHINGTON — As a sophomore legislator, Congressman Dale Strong joined the powerful Appropriations Committee this year, giving him a new avenue to bolster north Alabama’s national security capabilities.
From NASA to the FBI and most likely Space Command, Huntsville’s federal agencies have been both a benefactor and at risk during the first months of the second Trump administration. While a staunch supporter of the president, Strong has remained focused on securing funding and maintaining programs that make up Redstone Arsenal and nearby facilities.
Recently, appropriators in the House and Senate rejected President Donald Trump’s proposed budget cuts to NASA and proposed fully funding the agency at previous levels. In the House, lawmakers allocated about $24.84 billion for the space agency, the same level as FY25. Trump’s budget request proposed cutting NASA’s budget to $18.8 billion.
“I was pretty frustrated with the budget numbers that we saw originally, but again, that’s why this job is early mornings and late nights,” Strong told Alabama Daily News in an interview. “That is fighting for your communities, but also fighting for what’s right for space exploration and national security. I think that the evidence was revealed.”
The House spending bill that funds NASA was passed out of an appropriations subcommittee last month, but has yet to get a full committee or floor vote. The bill outlines $9.7 billion for space exploration, including the Space Launch System and the Orion spacecraft.
Strong also highlighted how Trump’s tax breaks and spending cuts package boosted funding for the SLS and Artemis missions, again rebuking the White House’s efforts to scale down those programs.
“We want it to (be) cost-effective,” Strong told ADN. “We want competition, but the big thing is we can’t go backwards. We’ve got (to) lead in space exploration and national security, and I think that everybody understands our role.”
The Alabama Republican is also laser-focused on trying to avoid a continuing resolution this year, calling them “detrimental to the United States military.” But a short-term continuing resolution looks likely, as lawmakers will only have a few weeks after the August recess to pass 12 appropriations before the Oct. 1 deadline. The House has passed two appropriations bills on the floor so far this year.
“Continuing resolutions don’t work for anybody,” Strong told ADN. “It’s hard to manage any business, but especially the United States government. And so my objective will always be to get a budget.”
In July, Republicans passed a rescissions package to claw back funding for foreign aid and public media that had already been appropriated by Congress. Strong said he would continue to back any future request to rescind money so long as it does not touch efforts to protect the homeland.
“I’m willing to take up any rescission measure that the president brings or the direction that we go with that, the big thing we’ve got to do is to be sure that we take care of national security,” Strong said.
FBI
The FBI in Huntsville is one of the federal agencies that could see growth under Trump as the bureau readies 500 employees to move to Alabama’s facilities. The move is part of the agency’s efforts to spread more of its capabilities and employees across the country.
FBI Director Kash Patel visited the facilities at Redstone Arsenal in April.
The FBI’s goal is to relocate the 500 workers by the end of the year, but Strong said that could be challenging to complete so soon.
“It will take a little time,” he said. “Now, will that happen before the first of the year? I’m not sure, but I can tell you this right here, it’s going to be an exciting (20)26.”
Space Command
Space Command appears poised to move to Huntsville under the Trump administration, but no official announcement has been made yet. The Air Force Secretary has been in his role since May with no official word. Strong remains bullish.
“We’ve got the right people in Huntsville, at the right time…and I believe that we’re moving forward with this,” Strong told ADN. “But I think it’s essential that we move forward quicker, rather than later.”
The entire delegation remains optimistic about the headquarters relocating from Colorado.
Congressional-Executive Commission on China
Last month, Strong received a new appointment as a commissioner on the Congressional-Executive Commission on China. Speaker Mike Johnson appointed him. The bipartisan, bicameral group monitors and reports on human rights and the rule of law in China.
“To get more information to the American people, I think that’s part of my job,” Strong said. “And so this is going to be one of those (commissions where) … a lot will be revealed.”
Strong has been focused on combating threats posed by China and other foreign adversaries owning farmland in the United States, which he said would be relevant to his new role. He introduced legislation to prohibit foreign countries from owning farmland earlier this year. The Department of Agriculture also recently launched a plan to secure U.S. farmland.
Alabama delegation’s work
Serving in his second term, Strong said one of the “most impressive things” he has seen during his time in Congress is the Alabama delegation’s ability to work together for the state.
“When we get together, have breakfast, lunch, dinner, whatever it is, it’s some of the most productive meetings that I’ve ever seen,” he said.
And Strong said there’s still untapped potential for the state, its people, and its businesses.
“I think that there (are) opportunities: the cost of living, very good work environments, a lot to do after five o’clock in Alabama, and I think that people want to move there, and so our advanced manufacturing has proven beneficial.