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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 18, 2005
CONTACT: Chris Paulitz

CONGRESS APPROVES 2006 MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AND VETERANS AFFAIRS SPENDING BILL
Funds include more than $218 million for Texas base improvements

WASHINGTON, DC -- Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Chairman of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee, today announced Congress has approved final passage of the Fiscal Year 2006 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill which includes more than $218 million for Texas base improvements.

“Our servicemen and women deserve proper facilities in which to train and live. This budget is good for our military and our nation,” said Sen. Hutchison. “I am pleased Congress has passed this legislation, which will add more than $218 million for Texas base improvements.”

The appropriations legislation funds military construction projects for the Department of Defense for Fiscal Year 2006. It provides $12.1 billion for better training capabilities, base facilities and family housing. Overall it includes:

  • $6.2 billion in total military construction funding;
  • $4 billion for family housing construction and operations, including $1.8 billion for new family housing and improvement to existing units, as well as $2.2 billion for family housing operation and maintenance; and
  • $1.7 billion dollars for Base Realignment and Closure activities.
Sen. Hutchison has successfully secured more than $218.5 million in the bill for needed improvements in Texas bases including funding for the following projects:

  • $64.4 million to Fort Hood for infrastructure and improvement projects;
  • Fort Sam Houston will receive $7 million to renovate the Barracks Wings and Battalion Command Area;
  • Fort Bliss will receive $5 million for a vehicle bridge project and $137,000 for the Biggs Gate traffic alleviation project;
  • Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base will receive $1.75 million for an aircraft generation facility and $300,000 for the Joint Ground Support Equipment Complex;
  • Ellington Field will receive $15 million for Phase 1 of the Armed Forces Reserve Center/Battle Projection Center.
  • $36.9 million to Sheppard Air Force Base (AFB) for the T-6 Combs Warehouse, a student dormitory, and a base operations ramp;
  • $11 million to Lackland AFB to replace the Military Working Dog Medical Facility;
  • $7.9 million to Dyess AFB to replace 190 units of family housing;
  • $4.3 million to Goodfellow AFB for a Chapel Center;
  • $7.9 million to Laughlin AFB for an aircraft maintenance complex;
  • $5.6 million to build the 2nd phase of the Grand Prairie Army Reserve Center; and
  • $16 million to Naval Air Station Kingsville for a T-10 Jet Engine Test Cell and Airfield Lighting.

“This legislation will improve the facilities and training programs for military servicemen and women,” Sen. Hutchison said. “Our troops and their loved ones make great sacrifices for our nation and deserve the best possible training and infrastructure to help them do their jobs safely and effectively.”

The legislation will now be sent to President George W. Bush to be signed into law.

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