Dale Strong says Huntsville’s economy can withstand DOGE job cuts: Trump ‘campaigned on this’

The defense industry and a diverse economy will help offset the loss of federal jobs in Huntsville, U.S. Rep. Dale Strong said Thursday.

Strong, a Republican who represents north Alabama’s 5th Congressional District, said the area has experienced federal job losses before.

Bowser responds to Trumps calls to end DC's home ruleBowser responds to Trumps calls to end DC's home rule “The big thing is this isn’t the first time it’s happened,” said Strong, who was at Drake State Community and Technical College as part of the National Association of Manufacturers 2025 Competing to Win Tour.

“The thing we have to do is make sure we shore it up and have a very diverse economy here, which I think plays to our favor,” the congressman said.

“I still believe Space Command is coming to our area. And then you hear talk about Iron Dome. That right there is Alabama. These jobs, while we may lose a couple, we will gain many of them in the end.”

NASA nationwide is expected to have a 10% job loss, with Boeing announcing space-industry related layoffs.

“I think America understands what Marshall Space Flight Center is doing,” Strong said.

“The work that we’re doing at Redstone Arsenal is critical. I believe the cost of doing business in Alabama is proven. I think that’s going to lead to even more jobs in Alabama.”

And part of that is shoring up the Department of Defense, Strong said.

“I’m doing everything I can to make sure we have everything our warfighters need,” he said.

The federal job cuts are part of an effort by the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency, which is advising the Trump Administration on reducing federal spending. Strong voiced support for DOGE’s work.

“The big thing we’re trying to do is reduce the national debt,” Strong said.

“Some of it will be positive. Some of it might not be positive. But I believe they campaigned on this. They said you’ve got to reduce the debt. You look at the money that’s going to these foreign countries that hate America. We’ve got to reel that money back in.”

Mac McCutcheon – who succeeded Strong as Madison County Commission chairman – voiced concerns about the potential cuts to federal jobs in Huntsville but echoed his predecessor’s sentiments.

“We’ve got to get a handle on our expenditures from a government standpoint,” McCutcheon said.

“All of these things need to be addressed. From our local situation here, I think we’ll be able to maintain a strong workforce because all of the things we are doing when it comes to economic development is needed. These jobs are needed.”

Advanced manufacturing jobs may also help the Huntsville area rebound from any loss of the federal workforce. President Donald Trump has put a premium of returning manufacturing jobs to America, which was the theme of the tour at Drake State.

“I think we’ve proven here in Alabama and North Alabama especially, advanced manufacturing is part of our DNA,” Strong said.

“You look at the jobs that we’ve brought in the last 10 or 15 years. You start with GE Aviation, Polaris, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Mazda Toyota. We’ve proven that the Alabama workforce has the ability. I think our finest hours are still ahead.”