Victory for Florida and the Military: Congressman Matt Gaetz Secures $41.9 Million Authorization for Test Range Enhancements

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Matt Gaetz (FL-01) today applauded the House of Representatives for the final passage of H.R. 5515, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (NDAA). In the legislation, Rep. Gaetz secured numerous provisions, including an amendment for SPACE-A travel benefits for veterans with service-related disabilities, as well as a $41.9 million authorization to fund military test ranges, including the Gulf Test Range.

Spanning the coast of Florida’s First Congressional District, the Gulf Test Range provides approximately 120,000 square miles of overwater airspace. It is used for high altitude, supersonic air combat training, as well as air-to-air missile testing, drone targeting, hypersonic weapons testing, and space launches. Additionally, the Air Force Special Operations Command, the 96th Test Wing, the 33rd Fighter Wing, and others all train on the Gulf Test Range. 

The NDAA passed for the 58th straight year, with a vote of 351–66. In response to the final passage of the NDAA, Rep. Gaetz issued the following statement:

“The final House passage of the FY2019 NDAA is a tremendous victory for Florida’s First Congressional District. We have continued our effort to enhance military test ranges, including the Gulf Test Range. We have also secured funding for a new Air Traffic Control Tower at NAS Whiting Field, and SPACE-A travel for veterans with service-related disabilities on military flights. This is a great bipartisan first step. I look forward to getting this on the President’s desk as soon as possible, and continuing to rebuild our great military,” Rep. Gaetz said.

###