By early next year, this city, widely known as the rodeo capital of Texas, is set to become a crucial part of America’s efforts to increase artillery production for the war in Ukraine. A massive new factory being constructed near downtown Mesquite, alongside a highway exchange, aims to nearly double the current U.S. output of artillery, replenishing stockpiles and increasing ammunition to counter the Russian invasion. For Mesquite, which is currently undergoing an economic renaissance, the General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems factory is a significant gain. It is expected to provide jobs for at least 125 people while bringing business opportunities to local suppliers, retailers, and restaurants. City officials also hope that it will transform the area into an industrial hub with well-paying jobs. However, Representative Lance Gooden, a Republican whose district will house the new plant, does not support continuing U.S. aid to Kyiv, despite the benefits it could bring to his constituents. His opposition, along with that of many others in his party, poses a threat to President Biden’s request for $24 billion in additional funding for the war. The opposition to aid for Ukraine from lawmakers has been influenced by the “America First” mentality championed by former President Donald J. Trump, which has intensified among Republicans. This opposition is a significant factor in the upcoming spending showdown as lawmakers work to reach agreements on routine annual spending bills and additional aid packages for domestic and international crises. Lawmakers who oppose aid to Ukraine argue that the United States should focus on problems closer to home and refrain from involving itself in a distant war. This stance has disappointed some local business leaders in Mesquite, who see it as a disregard for their constituents. Since the invasion of Russia, there has been a defense production boom in the United States, as officials scramble to rebuild inventories and develop reserves capable of sustaining Ukraine and responding to similar conflicts in the future. Despite benefiting from this boom, lawmakers representing defense production facilities have voted against the funding that made it possible. This break in decades of bipartisan support for the military-industrial complex is particularly apparent in Mesquite, as the city had no prior involvement in the defense industry. The demand for 155-millimeter shells, essential ammunition for howitzers, resulting from the war in Ukraine created an opportunity for the city to attract the General Dynamics plant and boost its economy. However, the future of these defense contracts depends on Congress’s ongoing willingness to fund production. As the debate over continued aid to Ukraine escalates, Republican proponents of the war point to cities like Mesquite to justify their support for the aid. They argue that the money allocated does not just benefit Ukraine but also supports American defense manufacturing and creates jobs across the country. Mesquite city officials, while hesitant to link their success directly to the conflict in Ukraine, acknowledge the global economic impact and the need for such industries. They stress the importance of job creation and economic growth in their city and highlight the benefits that result from playing a role in global defense manufacturing.