Strong Leads Effort to Ensure Redstone Arsenal Gate Access Remains Secure and Efficient

Washington - Representative Dale Strong successfully championed a provision in H.R. 3838, the House-passed National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, to allow military installations to contract personnel for security guard functions when enlisted soldiers are not available.

The language proposed by Strong ensures Redstone Arsenal is able to maintain secure, efficient access for the thousands of employees, contractors, and service members who enter through its gates daily.

"Every day, nearly 50,000 men and women come to work on Redstone Arsenal. Unlike other military bases and installations, Redstone does not have a large population of junior enlisted personnel to help fill the gaps with gate security positions,"said Strong.

"I thank Chairman Rogers for including this provision to allow military installations - like Redstone - to contract personnel for security guard functions, ensuring installation access is secure and seamless for our personnel," he continued.

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) authorizes policy and appropriations for the Department of Defense, nuclear weapons programs within the Department of Energy, and other defense-related activities.

H.R. 3838 passed the House by a vote of 231 to 196. The NDAA awaits consideration in the U.S. Senate. Once passed, the two versions will be conferenced to resolve differences before going to the President's desk for his signature.