Establishes legislative agenda for the Council. Establishes key relationships with Minnesota House, Senate, veterans affairs committee and Minnesota Congressional delegation to support Council mission to educate the public and Congress on the importance of our Sea Services to our nation’s defense.
Director Business Development. Research, identify corporate entities to provide funding and support of Minnesota Council activities. Corporate sponsors should be offered membership in the Navy League, and be identified on Minnesota Council Website. Identify other non-profits that the Navy League should establish as partners for the elements that the Council will undertake (i.e., MACV, DAR, etc.)
The close of 2024 is upon us, and the election is behind us. We will be ushering in a new administration on January 20. President Elect Donald Trump has designated Pete Hegseth to be the Secretary of Defense and John Phelan to be the Secretary of the Navy. Additionally, Tulsi Gabbard has been tapped to be the next Director of National Intelligence. They are all planned for confirmation hearings beginning in January.
One of the biggest shakeups in the Middle East in 50 years is underway with the overthrow of the Syrian regime. Ousted Syrian leader Bashar Assad fled to Moscow and received asylum. “Our approach has shifted the balance of power in the Middle East,” President Joe Biden said, crediting action by the U.S. and its allies for weakening Syria’s backers — Russia, Iran and Hezbollah.
On the local level, we have one new US Congressional Representative as well as numerous new Minnesota House and Senate members. One Representative changed with Congressman Dean Phillips electing not to run for his seat. Kelly Morrison will be taking over the 3rd Congressional District on January 3, 2025.
The Minnesota Senate remains under DFL control, and the House of Representatives is under Republican control. Gov. Tim Walz returns to continue his role in Minnesota. His current term expires in 2026.
The National Defense Authorization Act, H.R. 5009, Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 was signed into law December 23rd. The bill includes a substantial 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted servicemembers. Additionally, the bill authorizes $143.8 billion in research, development, test, and evaluation to meet immediate and projected force protection challenges, $17.5 billion for science and technology programs, $33.5 billion in shipbuilding funding and for the procurement of seven battle force ships, including funding for the submarine industrial base and incremental funding for a second Virginia-class submarine.
On Saturday, December 21, 2024, the President signed into law. H.R. 10545, the “American Relief Act, 2025”, which provides fiscal year 2025 appropriations to Federal agencies through March 14, 2025, for continuing projects and activities of the Federal Government; provides disaster relief appropriations and economic assistance to farmers; extends the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018; and extends several expiring authorities.
Finally, to everyone in the Navy League family, best wishes for a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, New Year as we all look forward to spending time with friends and family this holiday season.
