Golden Dome locks in $13 billion, names project leader

• A total of $24.4 billion for the project was included in the One Big, Beautiful Bill signed by Trump on July 4, and is expected to total $175 billion over three years.
• The Golden Dome missile shield aims to block hypersonic missiles, nuclear weapons and more, whether launched from Earth or space.

What they're saying: U.S. Rep Dale Strong, whose district includes Huntsville, said in a statement Friday that Geutlein's confirmation "is a strategic move to strengthen our national defense at a critical time."

• Strong co-chairs the Golden Dome Caucus, alongside U.S. Rep. Jeff Crank of Colorado.

Context: Strong noted that Guetlein served at Redstone Arsenal as program executive for the MDA from 2017-2019.

By the numbers: A member of the House Appropriations Committee, Strong also touted his July 17 vote in support of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act in a separate statement.

• The bill, which passed the House on a 221-209 vote, includes about $13 billion for advanced initiatives in support of the Golden Dome.
• Strong said the bill "invests in missile defense and space programs to support the Golden dome initiatives - a workforce that is part of the very fabric of North Alabama."