2024 FBI Funding Cuts: What’s changing for Redstone Arsenal?
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HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — Questions continue about how the FBI at Redstone Arsenal might be impacted after the U.S. House and Senate did not provide construction money in the fiscal year 2024 budget.
The FY 2023 budget included $590 million for FBI construction at Redstone, but that was not repeated in the new budget.
Last summer, FBI Director Christopher Wray confirmed he expected the number of FBI employees at Redstone Arsenal to grow from 1,800 to roughly 3,000 people. The growth was expected in coordination with several on-base construction projects meant to expand facilities.
In FY 2022-23, Sen. Richard Shelby secured more than $500 million in the yearly budget for those expansion projects. When Shelby retired from the Senate at the end of 2022, some speculated Alabama projects may lose funding Shelby has secured through his position on the Senate Appropriations Committee.
The 2024 budget drops the FBI’s national construction budget to about $60 million, with none of it allocated to Redstone Arsenal. Alabama lawmakers say the Huntsville-based construction projects have been fully paid for, but it’s unclear how the funding cuts may impact operations.
A statement from Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s office said though this year’s funding bill appears to reduce money for the FBI at Redstone, the construction project has been fully funded.
Redstone Arsenal provides updates on project, discusses growth
“The spending bill passed by Congress on Friday included a budget gimmick that appeared to reduce funding for the FBI’s Redstone location, but in reality, it did not claw back funds that have already been signed into law to fund construction of the facility. Coach absolutely supports fully funding the FBI facility at Redstone and has even called for the FBI to move its headquarters there. Coach will always advocate for Huntsville.”
Spokesperson for Sen. Tommy Tuberville
An FBI spokesperson told News 19 on Monday that previously planned FBI construction projects are able to continue by leveraging funds appropriated for FBI Huntsville facilities in past years.
“Under the FY 2024 budget agreement, no new construction funding is being provided to the FBI for national security and law enforcement mission functions in Huntsville, Alabama, compared to the $590 million of new funding provided in the FY 2023 FBI construction appropriation. However, the FY 2024 budget agreement does not cut previously appropriated construction funding. Previously planned FBI construction activities in Huntsville are able to continue forward under the FY 2024 budget agreement, leveraging funds appropriated for FBI Huntsville facilities in FY 2023 and prior.”
Alicia T. Irmscher, Redstone FBI Congressional Affairs Officer
Rep. Robert Aderholt’s office said the FBI has been instructed by lawmakers in Washington to decentralize its operations, and this might bring new people to offices like the one in Huntsville.
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