WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) said the final federal omnibus appropriations bill includes $404 million for construction of the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility in Manhattan and $219 million in military funds for upgrades to McConnell Air Force Base in Bichita to accommodate the Air Force’s new aerial refueling tankers. The house and senate are expected to vote on the bill this week, Moran said. The NBAF biosecurity lab is being built next to Kansas State University. Animal disease research would move from the aging federal facility at Plum Island, N.Y., to Manhattan. Moran said the Wichita funding is a vital step in making McConnell the home of the new aerial tanker fleet in two years.
Tuesday, Jan. 14, 3 p.m.
