WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen applauded Senate passage of the Fiscal Year 2019 Energy and Water, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill. As part of this legislation, the Senators worked to secure critical funding for several port maintenance projects in Maryland – including the Port of Baltimore, Knapps Narrows, Poplar Island, and Mid-Chesapeake Bay. This legislation also supports our nation’s veterans by providing $2 billion to address the maintenance backlog at Veterans Affairs hospitals and clinics as well as funding for medical care and research, hospital and clinic construction, and disability and pension programs.

“Every corner of Maryland is helped in some way by the federal resources we were able to secure in this package, as well as our veterans and many of our military facilities that serve as anchors for so many communities in our state,” said Senator Cardin. “Working together, using all the tools and resources of our delegation, we are creating partnerships and opportunities that will create and secure jobs, foster economic growth and protect the Chesapeake Bay and our environment for future generations.”

“This legislation includes a number of Maryland priorities – from critical funding for our veterans’ health care to investments in our state’s ports, waterways, and military facilities,” said Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “I was proud to support this legislation, which will help ensure our veterans receive the care they deserve. Additionally, the work being done at Maryland’s ports is central to our economy, and I’m glad we could secure this funding to maintain and expand these projects. I’ll keep fighting for legislation that supports Maryland’s priorities and economic growth throughout our state.” 

The legislation, which passed the Senate today with overwhelming, bipartisan support, included the priorities below.

Energy and Water Projects:

• $23.645 million for Baltimore Harbor and Channels Dredging
• Additional funds to support Knapps Narrows and the $2.3 million for dredging that the project received last year
• $21 million for Poplar Island Construction
• Mid-Bay Chesapeake Island Project – language encouraging forward movement on the project: “The Corps has completed the supplemental chief’s report and is awaiting approval from the administration before budgeting for the Mid-Chesapeake Bay Island Project (James and Barren Islands). The Committee encourages the Corps to provide funding for PED [Pre-Construction Engineering and Design] for this project through the annual budget process or with additional funds.” The Senators also secured funding for this project in the Army Corps Fiscal Year 2018 Work Plan.

As well as:

• $415,000 for Baltimore Harbor Drift Removal
• $6.285 million for Jennings Randolph Lake, MD & WV
• $4 million for Wicomico River, MD
• $600,000 for Assateague Island
• $13,000 for Back Creek
• $5,000 for Lower Thorofare/Deal Island
• $3,000 for Neavitt Harbor
• $3,000 for Middle River
• $5,000 for Rock Hall Harbor
• $5,000 for Claiborne Harbor
• $10,000 for Fishing Creek
• $10,000 for Herring Creek
• $201,000 for Cumberland, MD and Ridgeley, WV
• $12.450 million for Intracoastal Waterway, Delaware River to Chesapeake Bay, DE & MD
• $2.827 million for Youghiogheny River Lake, PA & MD
• $485,000 for Project Condition Surveys, MD
• $126,000 for Inspection of Completed Works, MD
• $173,000 for Scheduling Reservoir Operations, MD 

Military Construction Projects:

• $37 million for the relocation of the hazardous cargo pad and EOD range on Joint Base Andrews. 
• $129.116 million for the Presidential Aircraft Recapitalization Complex for Joint Base Andrews.
• $218 million to recapitalize NSA Building #2, toward the completion of the building #2 project on Fort Meade.
• $99 million to recapitalize NSA Building #3, initiating increment 1 of the building #2 project on Fort Meade.
• $30 million for the construction of a Mission Support Operations Warehouse Facility on Fort Meade.

This legislation also included Senator Van Hollen’s provision to establish $5 million in dedicated funding to allow every Senate office to pay their interns.

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