SENATORS SNOWE, COLLINS SECURE $40.9 MILLION FOR MAINE IN SENATE MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, VETERANS AFFAIRS APPROPRIATIONS BILL

U.S. Senators Olympia J. Snowe and Susan Collins announced that the Senate Appropriations Committee has approved $40.9 million in military construction funding for projects in Maine. The funds are included in the fiscal year 2010 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations spending bill. The bill must now be considered by the full Senate.

Specifically, the bill calls for $28 million for a new aircraft hangar at the Bangor Air National Guard base in Bangor. The legislation also allocates $12.9 million for the Joint Armed Forces Reserve Center at Brunswick Naval Air Station.

"This legislation contains a number of provisions that will help maintain and improve the military infrastructure throughout the state of Maine," said Senator Collins, who is a member of the Senate Armed Services and Appropriations Committees. "This funding will help improve the lives of the dedicated men and women who work at Maine's military facilities. In addition, it will help boost our economy by creating jobs and improving our defense infrastructure. "

The legislation also includes $53.2 billion in Department of Veterans Affairs discretionary funding, including $50 million for a new Rural Clinic Initiative for additional to provide for additional Community Based Outreach Clinic's in rural and highly rural areas, such as Maine.