Contact: Vincent M. Perez (202) 225-4831

U.S. HOUSE AUTHORIZES $300 MILLION IN NEW CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS FOR FORT BLISS

**Official Seal

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Washington, Jul 28 - Today, Congressman Silvestre Reyes (D-TX) voted to approve the Fiscal Year 2011 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs (VA) Appropriations Act, a bill that authorizes critical funding for veterans health services and the construction of key facilities for training and housing for soldiers and their families.  The legislation increases funding levels for veterans health care by 7.4 percent over last year’s level and adds 4,000 additional VA claims processors.  

Of particular importance to El Paso, H.R. 5822 includes $147 million to be used for the construction of the new William Beaumont Army Medical Center.  The fiscal year 2011 funding is the second installment for the multi-year project.  Previously, Congressman Reyes worked with the Army, the Department of Defense and the House Armed Services Committee, on which he serves as a senior Member, to legislatively authorize the construction of the nearly $1 billion facility.

“As Fort Bliss continues to transform, there is a growing need to expand health care services for military members and their families, and I have worked to secure needed funding and authorization for the construction of a new Army Medical Center for El Paso," Congressman Reyes said.  "Soldiers and their families do so much in defense of our nation, and we owe them quality facilities and services that honor their sacrifice.  Constructing a new medical center for Fort Bliss will improve care for military patients and will expand training and research opportunities for local medical professionals,” Reyes added.  

Congressman Reyes also successfully secured planning and design funding for two important Fort Bliss projects in the Military Construction funding measure.  The bill would provide $1.16 million to be used for planning and design of alternative and renewable energy projects on Fort Bliss and $2 million in design funds for planned rail yard improvements.  Fort Bliss has been designated a lead Army installation for renewable energy initiatives.  

The FY2011 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act also included $150 million in funding for critical Fort Bliss priorities listed below:

$2.1 million     Light Demolition Range

$2.8 million     Urban Assault Course

$3 million        Squad Defense Range

$3.15 million   Live Fire Exercise Shoothouse

$3.5 million     Heavy Sniper Range

$6.7 million     Automated Multipurpose Machine Gun Range

$8.7 million     Vehicle Bridge Overpass

$15.5 million   Indoor Swimming Pool   

$15.5 million   Scout/RECCE Gunnery Complex

$17.5 million   THAAD Battery Complex

$18.5 million   Company Operations Facilities                         

$22 million      Digital Multipurpose Training Range

$31 million      Transient Training Complex
 
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