(Just The News)—Pay raises, improved access to child care, and more than one-quarter of a billion dollars in projects helping the readiness of American troops stationed in North Carolina were signed into law Monday night by President Joe Biden.
The $895.2 billion Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025, as House Resolution 5009 is formally known, pushes back the retirement of the F-15E Strike Eagles at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. Job savings and direct economic benefit to Wayne County is 520 jobs.
The Senate last week favored the bill 85-14 and the House of Representatives a week earlier sent it forward 281-140. Three of the nays were North Carolina Democratic Reps. Deborah Ross, Valerie Foushee and Alma Adams.
For the measure from North Carolina were Republican Sens. Thom Tillis and Ted Budd; Democratic Reps. Don Davis, Kathy Manning, Wiley Nickel and Jeff Jackson; and Republican Reps. Dr. Greg Murphy, Virginia Foxx, David Rouzer, Dan Bishop, Richard Hudson, Patrick McHenry and Chuck Edwards.
Hudson is the representative of the world’s largest military base, the Army’s Fort Liberty that was previously known as Fort Bragg and touches six counties in the Sandhills. Seymour Johnson is in Davis’ district.
Junior enlisted servicemembers are slated for a 14.5% pay raise; it’s 4.5% for all other servicemembers. Access to child care for the 63,700 children of North Carolina military families is also part of the bill.
The Air Force was going to take away 26 of the aircraft next year from the 335th Fighter Squadron.
Eight military construction projects in North Carolina are authorized, spending $296 million.
The defense spending plan authorizes supporting $41 million to construct a Combat Arms Training & Maintenance Complex at Seymour Johnson, famed home to the 4th Fighter Wing.
At Marine Corps Air Base Cherry Point, the bill authorizes $53.52 million for an aircraft maintenance hangar, $50 million for the F-35 Sustainment Center, and $20.02 million for the composite repair facility.
The bill provides $47 million in military construction projects at Fort Liberty, including a Special Operations Forces Arms Room Addition and Special Operations Forces Operations Facilities. It also prevents cuts to the Special Operations Forces troops. The base is home to the 82nd Airborne, Special Operations Forces, and known colloquially as the place getting “the 911 call” of presidents.
At MCAS Camp Lejeune, there is authorization of $57 million for the Special Operations Forces Information Maneuver Facility, and for $27.5 million for the Special Operations Forces Armory.
There is language included restricting the Pentagon’s TRICARE health insurance plan covering costs for gender dysphoria treatments for children of service members under age 18. New Defense Department positions related to diversity, equity and inclusion are also prohibited, according to the bill language.
In Biden’s message on the measure Monday, he objected to the gender dysphoria treatment restriction. He wrote, “No service member should have to decide between their family’s health care access and their call to serve our nation.”
Bypass Big Tech Censors
Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.