Congressman Don Davis Votes in Support of Defense Funding Package

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) issued the following statement after voting to support a defense funding package during the first-ever U.S. House Armed Services Committee budget reconciliation markup.  

“One of my top priorities has been preventing the retirement of the F-15E aircraft at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base and securing increased F-15EX procurement. We are also committed to strengthening our workforce pipeline by expanding shipbuilding job opportunities for North Carolinians in shipyards like Newport News. I believe this defense package moves us in the right direction,” said Congressman Don Davis. “Preserving jobs and investing in Seymour Johnson Air Force Base is vital to our readiness and national defense.” 

The House Armed Services Committee passed the defense funding package by a margin of 35-21. 

Highlights include:

• $127.5 million to prevent the retirement of F-15E aircraft
• $3.15 billion to support F-15EX aircraft procurement
• $678 million to accelerate the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program to build semi-autonomous drones that fly alongside manned fighters 
• $34 billion to support shipbuilding and the maritime industrial base (including $4.6 billion for a second Virginia-class submarine in fiscal year 2027 and $450 million for additional maritime industrial workforce development programs)

Other highlights include:

• $9 billion for servicemember quality of life (including $1.2 billion for military housing and $100 million for childcare)
• $5 billion for border support and counter-drug missions
• $11 billion for Pacific deterrence

There are 94 F-15E fighters at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. Seymour Johnson Air Force Base employs more than 6,200 military and civilian personnel. Congressman Davis’ Fiscal Year 2025 NDAA provision prohibits F-15E divestment through at least Fiscal Year 2027. The bill now moves to the Budget Committee. 

Timeline of action on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base:

• On November 20, 2023, Congressman Davis toured Seymour Johnson Air Force Base during an official congressional delegation visit to deepen his understanding of its operations and challenges of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base and to express unwavering support for the brave men and women in uniform.
• On March 13, 2024, Congressman Davis delivered remarks on the House Floor regarding plans by the Air Force to divest a combat squadron and strip away 520 jobs at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. A Full Video of Congressman Davis’ speech on the House Floor is here.
• Congressman Davis sent a letter dated March 29, 2024, to President Joe Biden urging the administration not to divest an F-15E aircraft fighter squadron at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro, North Carolina. Read the full letter here.
• On April 17, 2024, Congressman Davis questioned the Secretary of the Air Force at a House Armed Service Committee hearing on what communication he or his team had had with the local community, what the economic impact of divestment would be, and whether the U.S. Air Force planned to deliver the late report on force structure decisions.
• On May 14, 2024, Congressman Davis announced a provision prohibiting the retirement of F-15E aircraft until at least Fiscal Year 2027.
• On December 11, 2024, Congressman Davis voted to support the Fiscal Year 2025 NDAA (Public Law 118-159), which includes his provision prohibiting the retirement of F-15E aircraft until at least Fiscal Year 2027.
• On March 7, 2025, Congressman Davis submitted his Fiscal Year 2026 NDAA priorities, including several requests in the defense funding package, including F-15EX procurement, F-15E maintenance and upgrades, and Collaborative Combat Aircraft funding.

Military installations in eastern North Carolina include Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, Coast Guard Base Elizabeth City, Camp Lejeune, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, and Fort Bragg.

Congressman Don Davis is a 1994 U.S. Air Force Academy graduate and a U.S. Air Force veteran. He serves as the vice ranking member of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee where he serves on the Readiness and Tactical Air and Land Forces subcommittees.