Hudson Advocates for Funding for Fort Bragg, 82nd Airborne

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08), representative of Fort Bragg, testified before the Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction today to request funding for priorities to support the mission of the 82nd Airborne, as well as invest in infrastructure at Fort Bragg, N.C.

"I have remained in close contact with Fort Bragg leadership on top priorities and key infrastructure projects that will have a direct and immediate impact on military readiness," said Rep. Hudson. "As Fort Bragg's Congressman, I understand the strength of our service members depends on not only the training and resources we provide them, but also the investments we make in the installation facilities."

In his testimony, Rep. Hudson specifically advocated for funding for the Strategic Deployment Complex and Tactical Equipment Maintenance Facility to ensure troops remain safe and are prepared to quickly respond to global crises.

While Congress has consistently recognized the importance of funding the Special Operations forces at Fort Bragg, this has often come at the expense of conventional forces at the base. Most notably, this includes the Immediate Response Force (IRF), a Brigade Combat Team of the 82nd Airborne Division. On December 31st 2019, the IRF was called into action for the first time since 1989 in response to an Iranian attack on the American Embassy in Iraq.

Fort Bragg, NC is the only Joint Strategic Deployment Platform that provides our nation the ability to respond in hours versus days, weeks or months. However, since 2010, Fort Bragg has received just one military construction funding project.

Following Rep. Hudson's testimony today, the Appropriations Committee will now debate funding priorities to include in an appropriations bill later this year.

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