WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Robert Menendez and Cory Booker said today that nearly $32 million in federal funding for 2 major construction projects on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst took a step forward today, passing the Senate Appropriations Committee as part of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs funding bill. Menendez and Booker wrote Senate Appropriation leaders in April to push for inclusion of the funding in the legislation.

"New Jersey is enormously proud of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and the men and women who serve there today and in the past," said Sen. Menendez. "We know what the Joint Base means to the defense of the nation, to our response capabilities, and to the economy of our state, and this funding will help us make certain that it will always have that role. I intend to keep pushing until we get it over the finish line."

"I am encouraged by the progress announced in the Senate Appropriations Committee and support the decision to include funding for improvements at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst," said Sen. Booker. "The Joint Base is an asset to our state and is critical to our nation's defense mobilization capabilities. Today's developments ensure that the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs funding bill prioritizes the brave service men and women stationed at the Joint Base and I am committed to supporting its final passage.

The projects:

Army Reserve

Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst

Army Reserve Center $26,000,000

Funding will be used to construct a 600-member Army Reserve Center that will provide a training facility with administrative, educational, assembly, library learning center, vault, weapons simulator and physical fitness areas for 21 Army Reserve units.

Air Force

Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst

Fire Station $5,900,000

Funding will be use to construct a standard design one company satellite fire station. This facility will include apparatus bays; residential areas; administration areas; training areas; information systems; fire protection/alarm systems; and Energy Monitoring Control Systems (EMCS) connection.

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