WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) is advancing Congress’ annual defense bill. As the highest-ranking Republican on SASC, U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., is well-positioned to shape the bill, the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (FY 25 NDAA), to benefit Mississippi’s service members and their families. Senator Wicker also secured a $25 billion increase to the defense budget so we can adequately meet today’s growing threats from the new axis of aggressors: China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.

The next step for the legislation would be a full vote in the U.S. Senate. Senator Wicker will fight for pro-Mississippi provisions to be included in the final version, which historically becomes law at the end of the calendar year.

Among many of Senator Wicker’s priorities, a few key elements of the bill could ensure Mississippi receives additional investments in artificial intelligence, unmanned weapons systems, special operations activities, naval fleet construction, advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, and national security research.

“I will fight for Mississippi-specific provisions to be included so our state can keep building and fielding the next-generation defense technologies that our service members will use,” Senator Wicker said. “Mississippi is at the center of our defense innovation and readiness, and this bill could better position our state as a national security leader for years to come. Our shipyards, factory floors, research centers, and bases and military installations could stand to gain.”