The Tampa Bay Chamber sent letters to the Tampa Bay delegation in Congress, along with the Chair and Ranking Members of the Senate and House Armed Services Committees, asking them to support the inclusion of the Defense Community Support Program in the FY25 NDAA. This new grant would support local and state-led efforts that seek to improve quality of life for service members, including the availability and quality of childcare, job-skills training, education, spouse employment, affordable housing and healthcare. As a proud supporter of MacDill Air Force Base, we understand the challenges our service members are facing each day – not just in the field but at home as it pertains to cost of living and quality of life. To read full letter, see below.
Letters were sent to:
- Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), Chairman, Senate Armed Services Committee
- Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), Ranking Member, Senate Armed Services Committee
- Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL)
- Senator Rick Scott (R-FL), Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee
- Congressman Mike Rogers (R-AL), Chairman, House Armed Services Committee
- Congressman Adam Smith (D-WA), Ranking Member, House Armed Services Committee
- Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL)
- Congressman Vern Buchanan (R-FL)
- Congresswoman Kathy Castor (D-FL)
- Congresswoman Laurel Lee (R-FL)
- Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL)
The Honorable Jack Reed Chairman Senate Armed Services Committee United States Senate
March 1, 2024
Dear Chairman Reed:
The Tampa Bay Chamber is proud to offer support for inclusion of the Defense Community Support Program (DCSP) in the next iteration of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This program would give the Department of Defense (DoD) new statutory authority to fund a variety of community-led military support programs.
The new authority would support local community and state-led efforts to address quality of life challenges by providing matching DoD grants, much like the Defense Community Infrastructure Program, that seek to improve quality of life for service members, including the availability and quality of childcare, job-skills training, education, spouse employment, affordable housing and healthcare.
Since the 1940s, the Tampa Bay business community, led by the Tampa Bay Chamber, has enjoyed a close working relationship with MacDill Air Force Base – a vital part of our nation's defense and an important training location for those who safeguard the United States of America. We understand the importance of promoting and supporting our brave men and women who serve our country and call our community home.
As Congress begins its work on the NDAA, we urge you as the Chairman of the Armed Services Committee to support the inclusion of the Defense Community Support Program in this year’s version. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Tampa Bay Chamber if you or your staff have any additional questions.
Thank you for your support.
Dr. Bob Rohrlack, President and CEO, Tampa Bay Chamber