U.S. Senators Barbara A. Mikulski and Benjamin L. Cardin (both D-Md.) announced Senate passage of the 2010 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations bill. The funding bill provides $9.2 million in federal funding to help Maryland communities manage growth related to the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission’s recommendations.  

“My promises made to BRAC-impacted communities are promises kept,” said Senator Mikulski, a member of the THUD Appropriations Subcommittee. “It’s my job to put money in the federal checkbook where there is a federal responsibility, but not enough funding. BRAC brings great opportunities, but it also brings great challenges. That’s why I want to make sure Maryland has what it needs to implement the BRAC decisions and meet the increased demands on our communities.” 

Senator Cardin, a member of the Budget Committee, said, “BRAC represents a great opportunity for Maryland, but it also comes at a cost. I strongly supported this appropriations because it is time for the federal government to provided the State with additional resources so it can meet the significant transportation and infrastructure needs that come with BRAC.“ 

The funding will greatly improve safety and access to military bases in Maryland and ease traffic congestion stemming from BRAC-related growth in the area.  If approved, four Maryland military installations will receive $2.3 million each to fix traffic hot spots at intersections. The military installations are:  

•           Fort George G. Meade in Anne Arundel County

•           Aberdeen Proving Ground in Harford County

•           National Naval Medical Center in Montgomery County

•           Andrews Air Force Base in Prince George’s County 

Senator Mikulski has been fighting for several years to prepare Maryland communities and military bases for the BRAC process, which will bring thousands of new employees to the state.  Overall, BRAC will bring 45,000 to 60,000 new jobs to Maryland over the next several years. To prepare for the increase of employees, commuters and students, Senator Mikulski is committed to making sure Maryland gets the federal resources it needs so that costs do not fall on local taxpayers. 

In the next step of the appropriations process, the House and Senate will work out the differences between their versions of the bill, which will then be approved a final time by both legislative bodies before being sent to the President for his signature.