Bishop: Appropriations Bill Funds Critical Projects in Georgia's 2nd District

Washington, D.C. Today, Congressman Sanford Bishop, a Member of the House Appropriations Committee announced that more than $36.1 million has been earmarked for Georgia’s Second Congressional District in the fiscal year 2006 Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, which passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 425 to 1.

The funding includes $20.9 million for a Combined Arms Collective Training Facility at Fort Benning, where additional funds have been provided for an infantry platoon battle course, two shoot houses to train both infantry and special operations forces, and a squad defense range. The Marine Corps Logistics Base at Albany will also be seeing an additional $5.8 million for the construction of a combat vehicle maintenance and preservation facility and a much needed satellite fire station.

“This funding is vital to maintaining and improving our military installations and to meeting our ever expanding mission,” said Congressman Bishop. “These earmarks only underscore the important work being done in Albany and Columbus and coming on the heals, of last week’s BRAC announcement, I can say with full confidence that our bases are growing.”

The state of Georgia is expected to receive a total of $207.7 million including $3.8 million for an armored fighting vehicle support facility at Kings Bay and $5.60 million to construct an operations facility for the 51st Combat Communications Squadron at Robins Air Force Base.

The Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Subcommittee, of which Congressman Bishop is a member, overseas appropriations for the military quality of life functions of the Department of Defense, military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs and related agencies.

2nd District Project included in the Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill:

Ft. Benning:
Combined Arms Collective Training Facility $20.961
Infantry Platoon Battle Course $4.3
Light Infantry Shoot House $1.25
Special Operations Command Shoot House $1.7
Squad Defense Range $2.05

MCLB:
Combat Vehicle Maintenance and Preservation Facility $4.0
Satellite Fire Station $1.84

Total