Van Hollen Secures Critical Funding for Maryland Projects in Homeland Security Appropriations Bill

Today U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen announced that he successfully secured millions in federal investment for critical Maryland projects as part of the Fiscal Year 2019 Homeland Security Appropriations Act.

 

“From research labs that are vital to keeping our nation safe, to ensuring the Coast Guard’s fleet is well-maintained and ready to act, this bill includes key priorities that support jobs in Maryland and our national security,” said Senator Van Hollen. “Military bases and federal facilities across our state are working every day to keep America secure, and I will keep fighting to support their work and ensure they have the resources they need to succeed.”

  

This funding builds on Senator Van Hollen’s work to reverse the closure of NBACC at Fort Detrick and CSAC at Aberdeen Proving Ground. Last year, Senator Van Hollen secured funding for Fiscal Year 2018, and this investment – included in both the Homeland Security Appropriations bill and the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill – would support these facilities for Fiscal Years 2019-2024. Senator Van Hollen secured $73.598 million for NBACC and $9.392 million for CSAC. The legislation also supports the new cost-sharing agreement between the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI to support these labs, which put the facilities on more secure footing over the long-term. Their work is vital to supporting our first responders and federal agencies with the technology and training necessary to prevent and respond to terrorist attacks.

 

Coast Guard Yard at Curtis Bay in Baltimore, Maryland is the only facility of its kind in the country, charged with rebuilding, repairing, and renovating the Coast Guard’s fleet. This funding – which was completely eliminated in the Trump Budget – will allow them to lift and dry-dock the large FRCs in order to perform maintenance. It will save tens of millions of dollars in operating costs over the 20-year life of the FRC class and will directly result in employment of approximately 120 federal and contract employees over the next two decades. The bill also includes language prioritizing this project.

 

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