WASHINGTON – The U.S. House of Representatives voted on Thursday to approve the annual renewal of the National Defense Authorization Act, earmarking $839 billion for military spending.

The bipartisan legislation sets the general structures and policy for the military, but also funds specific endeavors like pilot training in the Ukraine, and intercontinental ballistic missile programs.

Congressman Kelly Armstrong, R-ND, reacted in a statement following the passage of the NDAA by the House, saying he supported the legislation because, “Ensuring our armed forces have the resources they need to fulfill their mission is critical.”

Armstrong’s statement cited the various missions promoted by the 2023 NDAA in North Dakota, including Grand Forks Air Force Base and the North Dakota National Guard, as well as funding to modernize the Minuteman program to the Sentinel weapon system housed at Minot Air Force Base.

“Support for our military is important to the security of our nation and of North Dakota,” Armstrong said.