WASHINGTON -- Sen. Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., announced today that $39.55 million in funding for three Louisiana military facilities are included in the Military Construction and Veterans' Affairs Appropriations bill that passed the Senate Appropriations Committee this afternoon.

"These facilities are an important part of our national military strategy," said Sen. Landrieu. "We live in a new world with new rules, and our military needs to adapt to the global challenges it now faces. Our facilities present innovative approaches to meet these challenges, and this funding will help them continue these efforts."

The $5.9 billion Appropriations bill funds the U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs and military construction projects for all branches of the Armed Services. The bill was passed earlier this week by the Military Construction and Veterans' Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee of which Sen. Landrieu is a member. Tomorrow, Sen. Landrieu will testify in New Orleans before the Base Realignment and Closure Commission. Other members of the Louisiana Congressional delegation, Governor Kathleen Blanco and New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin will also testify at this hearing.

"We know that our Louisiana military assets and the New Orleans Federal City are vital to our long-term national defense and homeland security needs, and will proudly continue our fight to demonstrate this value to the BRAC Commission," said Sen. Landrieu.

Louisiana facilities funded in the Senate Military Construction Appropriations bill include:

• $28,000,000 for Fort Polk Funding is for the Combined Arms Collective Training Facility.
• $10,800,000 for Barksdale Air Force Base Funding for the refurbishment and repair of the Integrated Operations Center.
• $750,000 for the Joint Reserve Base/Naval Air Station in New Orleans Continued funding for the Aircraft Rescue Firefighting Facility.