Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Funding Authorization For Five Military Construction Projects Across New York In Recent Defense Bill; Senators Vow To See Funding Through Appropriations Process

U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that following their push, the just-passed Fiscal Year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) included Military Construction (MILCON) funding authorizations for five projects across Upstate New York. The federal funding authorizations came out to a total of $199.1 million and will permit for the construction of a perimeter fence at Rome Lab, a physical fitness center at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station (NFARS), an engineering center at West Point, a parking structure at West Point, and a plant project at the Kenneth A. Kesselring Naval Nuclear Reactor Site. Schumer and Gillibrand worked tirelessly to authorize these projects in the NDAA, and vowed to see them fully funded through the appropriations process.

“These funding authorizations are a critical step to keeping the world-class military assets we have in New York fully modernized and at the peak of excellence and readiness,” said Senator Schumer.“This National Defense Authorization bill authorizes funding for construction projects across the spectrum, like building a new fitness center at NFARS, securing the perimeter at Rome Lab, and constructing a new engineering center at West Point. I’ll always fight to ensure the military facilities in New York are at the pinnacle of their field, and will work hard to see this funding through the appropriations process.”

“New York State is home to some of the nation’s top military installations, and I’m pleased to announce that the recently passed National Defense Authorization Act will authorize funding for critical projects at the NFARS, Rome Lab, West Point, and the Kesselring Naval Nuclear Reactor Site,” said Senator Gillibrand, Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Personnel Subcommittee. “It is vital that the men and women who serve our country have the best facilities possible and that our military research installations have the resources they need to continue providing intelligence and advanced technology for our national defense. I fought for these provisions in the Armed Services Committee and will always work to ensure the safety of our service members and the readiness of our military.”

A breakdown of the authorized funding levels for the five MILCON projects appears below: