WASHINGTON (November 17, 2009)—The U.S. Senate approved the 2010 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriation bill Tuesday, which includes $35.1 million for Fort Hood, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, said.

The money appropriated for Fort Hood will be used to fund an automated multipurpose machine gun range, urban assault course, vehicle maintenance shop, and a fuel pump house and fill stand, Hutchison said.

The bill provides a total of $12.6 billion for military construction, $2.3 billion for military family housing construction and more than $7.5 billion for Base Realignment and Closing projects, as well as $109 billion in funds for discretionary and mandatory spending for the Department of Veterans Affairs, most of which is for veterans health care, Hutchison said.

"I was shocked and saddened by the outburst of violence at Fort Hood that cost 13 service members their lives and gravely wounded 29 others," Hutchison said. "

"While this funding for Fort Hood will do nothing to erase the memories of that tragic day, it will help continue to prepare our soldiers for the battlefield while also aiding in the base's return to a sense of normalcy. I will continue to do all I can to support our courageous men and women at Fort Hood and those stationed around the world who selflessly defend America,” she said.

The Senate bill must now be reconciled with the House appropriations measure.