Washington, D.C. - U.S. Representative Bud Cramer (Ala.-05) announced the House Appropriations Committee approved the Fiscal Year 2007 Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Bill.

Representative Cramer the bill includes $5.3 billion for military construction projects related to the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process last week. North Alabama was one of the nation's largest gainers through BRAC. In 2005, the BRAC Commission recommended relocating significant parts of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA), the U.S. Army Materiel Command (AMC), the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC), the United States Army Security Assistance Command (USASAC), and the Aviation Technical Test Center (ATTC) to Redstone Arsenal.

During subcommittee hearings earlier this year, Representative Cramer pressed for and received commitments from senior Department of Defense and Army officials that the BRAC Commission's recommendations for Redstone will be implemented by the required deadline.

In addition, Cramer secured $2.25 million to help construct a concrete apron at the North end of the Redstone Arsenal Airfield. The Explosive Cargo Handling Apron will prevent periodic closure of the airfield during shipment operations

"Last summer, the entire North Alabama community celebrated the BRAC recommendations for Redstone but today, our attention must turn to preparing for the expected growth," said Cramer. "While this process will take many years and will be a collaborative effort between the federal, state, and local governments, the funding provided in this bill is a good start."

The Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Bill now goes to the full House of Representatives for consideration.
-Staff Report, FMI: Congressman BudCramer