Wins: Part 2

In a July newsletter, I discussed some wins in recent legislation.

Since that newsletter, I secured another legislative win which, if passed by the Senate, will help Fairlawn, Virginia.

Despite its location in Pulaski County, the community of Fairlawn shares the same ZIP Code, 24141, with the City of Radford.

As a result, confusion often arises.

Last autumn, this ZIP Code issue presented a significant challenge.

Following Hurricane Helene, several localities were designated eligible for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance.

For several days, Pulaski County was designated eligible while Radford was not.

Since Fairlawn residents have an identical ZIP code to Radford, FEMA’s online portal to request Individual Assistance (IA) blocked them!

My bill to remedy this situation and secure a unique ZIP code for Fairlawn was added to a larger bill that recently passed the House. Both Virginia senators have a companion bill.

Recent legislative progress also spells victory for Ninth District national security and defense programs.

The reconciliation bill invests funds in submarine technology and nuclear forces.

$4.6 billion will support the development of a second Virginia-class attack submarine, while $2 billion will help accelerate development of nuclear-armed sea-launched cruise missiles.

All of the U.S. Navy’s submarines are now nuclear-powered and they account for roughly 50% of U.S. nuclear warheads, according to the Department of Defense.

Located just outside Virginia’s Ninth District, BWXT Technologies in Lynchburg continues to develop nuclear technology to power our submarines.

Earlier this year, BWXT announced the opening of the BWXT Innovation Campus. This center will focus on nuclear technology advancements for land, sea and space.

As BWXT grows its operations, the reconciliation bill allows groups like BWXT to develop America’s nuclear armed forces.

Additionally in the reconciliation bill, $1.4 billion goes to expand the Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) industrial base, $120 million for the development, procurement and integration of long-endurance UAS for surveillance, and hundreds of millions of dollars related to UAS.

In the 21st century, warfare methods are shifting. UAS drones are used increasingly for military operations.

Just look at the Russia-Ukraine war.

This July, it is estimated that Russia launched more than 6,400 drones and missiles into Ukraine while Ukraine launched more than 3,000.

ABC News reports that July set new records for the intensity of cross-border attacks.

The Russia-Ukraine war is a sign of things to come, and that is partly why we boost military spending in unmanned aerial systems.

Virginia’s Ninth District is no stranger to drones: in 2015, the first Federal Aviation Administration-approved drone delivery mission in U.S. history took place in Wise County.

One of the groups involved in this mission, the Health Wagon, helped plan the drone mission to deliver medical supplies to the Remote Area Medical clinic.

Now, the Ninth could be a key leader in the research of drones for defense purposes.

For years, Virginia Tech has been a leader in drone use for multiple purposes. Virginia Tech helped open a UAS testing center in 2013 and later a drone park facility in 2018.

Just this May, Virginia Tech announced the launch of a new research center dedicated to drone research for defense.

Virginia Tech’s Counter UAS Research and Testing Center will help the Department of Defense and law enforcement mitigate threats posed by drones.

UAS are just one piece of the puzzle in our renewed military investments.

Another key enhancement in the reconciliation bill includes strengthening our defense supply chain and building our munitions stockpile.

Many have voiced their concerns about American munition production falling behind.

In a recent hearing, Democratic Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee Adam Smith highlighted the need to build capacity for critical munitions.

Through hundreds of millions of dollars, the reconciliation bill enhances the development and procurement of a wide range of weapons.

$100 million is also dedicated to the production of small and medium ammunition. While it remains to be seen which ammunition factories aid in this effort, I will continue supporting Radford Army Ammunition Plant and its role in helping America meet its defense ammunition demands.

By equipping our soldiers with traditional ammunition and modern advanced weaponry, American armed forces will be best positioned to win or deter a potential conflict.

I am confident that these continued developments of our armed forces and enhancements of our ammunition stockpiles will go a long way in projecting American strength to the world.

Through American strength, we can achieve peace.

From ZIP Code improvement to military readiness, Congress is delivering wins.

If you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office. You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671. To reach my office via email, please visit my website at www.morgangriffith.house.gov.