Columbus Standard

U.S. Congressman Greg Pence (R-IN) praised the passage of H.R. 8774, the 2025 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, which aims to refocus the Department of Defense (DoD) on its core mission. The bill includes provisions for servicemembers and their families, promotes innovation, modernizes the military, and enhances DoD’s role in countering fentanyl and synthetic opioids while cutting unnecessary spending.

“As a veteran, strengthening and supporting our military will always be a priority,” said Congressman Pence. “This legislation will cut through the noise and focus the department on their main job – defending our nation.”

The bill also features a bipartisan amendment authored by Congressman Pence, allocating $10 million for the PELE Power Conversion Enhancement program. Rolls-Royce LibertyWorks in Indianapolis, Indiana provides key components for Project PELE.

“My amendment will provide additional funds, fully offset, for reducing critical risk and bolstering the power-producing capacity of the DoD’s Transportable Microreactor program, which is set to deliver the nation’s first advanced reactor into operation through Project PELE,” said Congressman Pence. “I am thrilled that Rolls-Royce LibertyWorks in Indianapolis is providing these modules for Project PELE and for the hundreds of Hoosier jobs this project supports.”