WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) this week pressed for stronger investments in MacDill Air Force Base and higher pay for MacDill civilians and service members, and military families in testimony before the House Armed Services Committee, outlining key priorities for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

Representing the Tampa Bay region—anchored by MacDill AFB, home to U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM)—Castor called for targeted investments to strengthen national security and improve quality of life for service members and their families.

I recommend investments “of critical importance to MacDill presently: the strength of SOCOM, the quality and accountability of base housing, and the retention of the civilian workforce,” said Rep. Castor. “I look forward to working with members and staff of this committee to advance the priorities I have presented in efforts to support MacDill’s personnel and families, and our military as a whole, within a strong NDAA for Fiscal Year 2027.”

Read her written testimony here and view her recorded remarks here.

In her testimony, Castor urged Congress to:

• Strengthen SOCOM by increasing resources and modernizing its aging headquarters at MacDill. 
• Improve military housing by holding private contractors accountable for unsafe conditions. 
• Address pay disparities affecting the civilian workforce caused by outdated locality pay designations. 

Castor emphasized how these priorities are critical to supporting the more than 16,000 personnel and thousands of military families across the Tampa Bay region.