WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today the U.S. Senate passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024, which contains significant resources to support Kentucky’s military installations and its servicemembers. As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator McConnell advocated on behalf of the Commonwealth in this year’s government funding process. The measure now goes to the President for his signature. 

“From Russian aggression in Europe to Iran-backed terrorism in the Middle East to competition with China, the United States cannot be caught unprepared in the face of these growing threats. Addressing our national security challenges begins with investing in American hard power at home,” said Senator McConnell. “This year’s government funding legislation makes a needed down payment on our waning defense industrial base, engineering a new ammunition warehouse at Blue Grass Army Depot and expanding this facility’s important mission. It also devotes significant resources to upgrading our military capabilities and training facilities at Fort Campbell, Fort Knox, and the Kentucky National Guard, further solidifying Kentucky’s central role in our nation’s defense abroad.”  

Senator McConnell secured the following in this year’s MilCon/VA (Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies) bill to benefit Kentucky: 

• $38M for Ft. Campbell to construct a largescale vehicle/aerial gunnery training range
• $5.5M for Ft. Campbell to construct a new airfield fire and rescue station
• $3.15M for Ft. Campbell to construct an equipment staging area to support overseas deployment operations
• $1.7M for Ft. Campbell to conduct the design and engineering of a runway extension project
• $7.7M for Ft. Knox to construct a new fire station
• $16.4M for the Kentucky National Guard to construct a vehicle maintenance facility in Burlington, KY
• $7M for the Kentucky National Guard to construct a new machine gun training range at Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center in Greenville, KY
• $2M for the Kentucky National Guard to complete a state administrative building in Frankfort, KY
• $3.3M for Blue Grass Army Depot to conduct engineering of a new ammunition warehouse that will assist the installation in expanding its important mission following the closure of the Chemical Demolition site

“Investments like those included in this Appropriations Act are a hallmark of Leader McConnell’s service to our Commonwealth and nation. Without a doubt, he understands the need to support the men and women who serve in the Kentucky National Guard by improving the facilities they depend on to fulfill their mission. As Chair of Kentucky’s House Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection Committee, I can tell you this $25 million allocation will make a tremendous impact on our National Guard for years to come. On behalf of the committee and Commonwealth, I appreciate the Leader’s commitment to securing this funding,” said State Representative Walker Thomas, the Chairman of the House Committee for Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection.

“Blue Grass Army Depot is incredibly important to Madison County, and we have been fortunate to have a champion in Senator McConnell throughout this year’s government funding process. Senator McConnell’s leadership was consequential in ensuring the successful completion of chemical demolition efforts at BGAD, and he will continue to be a critical partner as we explore future missions at the facility,” said Madison County Judge Executive Reagan Taylor.

“We are grateful for the decades of support Senator McConnell has provided to the soldiers and families of Fort Knox. His recent funding of the historic fire station is another example of that unwavering support,” said President and CEO of the Knox Regional Development Alliance Jim Iacocca.

“I thank Senator McConnell for his leadership and for securing Fort Campbell priorities in the Appropriations Act. With Fort Campbell units being among the most deployed combat units in the Army, the Senator has a firm grasp on the importance of how this funding impacts the preparedness to deploy and serve the nation’s interest in a moment's notice,” said President and CEO of Christian County Chamber of Commerce Taylor Hayes. “These upgrades ensure the installation’s viability to the nation while remaining a valuable economic asset to the region and