Statement from Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown Thanking Congressman Chris Van Hollen and Maryland's Congressional Delegation for Commitment to BRAC Transportation Projects
House Defense Appropriations Bill passed yesterday includes $300 million for BRAC Traffic Fix in National Capital Region
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (December 17, 2009) – Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown released the following statement today thanking Congressman Chris Van Hollen and the other members of the Maryland Congressional Delegation for their work to secure $300 million in the Defense Appropriations Bill for BRAC-related transportation projects in the Washington Metropolitan Region, including near the new Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda:
“I commend Congressman Van Hollen’s leadership in our collaborative efforts to ensure that BRAC is a success. Congressman Van Hollen and the rest of Maryland’s House delegation understand the federal responsibility and have been strong partners in Maryland’s ongoing BRAC preparations. The $300 million included in the House defense bill will provide the state with essential transportation funding to relieve additional stress on the roads and in the communities near the new Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda.
“Maryland’s BRAC expansion is unique and presents new challenges. No other state is experiencing as much per capita growth because of BRAC as Maryland, and no other state has ever experienced BRAC movements in an urban area.
“BRAC will create as many as 60,000 new jobs in Maryland – jobs that pay well and will stay in Maryland for decades to come. Because of our partnerships with Congressman Van Hollen, Sen. Mikulski and all of Team Maryland, Governor O’Malley and I are confident that Maryland will be prepared for BRAC.”
The United States House of Representatives passed the Fiscal Year 2010 Defense Appropriations Bill last night. Van Hollen fought to include the $300 million in the House bill to mitigate the transportation and community impacts of the expanded military hospital along Rockville Pike in Bethesda and address similar concerns around Ft. Belvoir in Northern Virginia. Senators Barbara Mikulski and Ben Cardin are working in the Senate to ensure that the federal funds remain in the Defense bill which is currently being considered by the Senate. A Senate vote on the bill is expected in the coming days.
