Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2025

Floor Speech

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Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chair, I thank the chairman for his leadership with this bill.

Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of this en bloc, which includes an amendment that I was proud to introduce.

Amendment No. 168 will restore funding for the APEX Accelerator program to the fiscal year `24 enacted level.

APEX accelerators provide individualized, no-cost assistance and training for businesses to identify and compete for defense and other government contracts. With 97 APEX accelerators across all 50 States, this program serves as the access for existing and new businesses to strengthen the defense industrial base by accelerating innovation, fostering ingenuity, and bolstering supply chains.

The success of the APEX Accelerator program speaks for itself. In 2023 alone, APEX accelerators counseled more than 62,000 businesses that received more than $28 billion in contracts.

Our Nation faces unprecedented national security challenges. We must continue to invest in our small businesses to spur innovation, strengthen a resilient supply chain, and diversify our industrial base.

Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this en bloc.

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