Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today applauded the passage of a bill that contains million for New Mexico.

The Senate late Thursday approved the fiscal year 2010 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill; this measure will now be subject to a House-Senate panel, which will negotiate final legislation that can be signed into law.

The bill includes contains $20 million Bingaman and Udall requested for the National Infrastructure Simulation and Analysis Center (NISAC) at Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories.  The program models every conceivable disaster and other simulations for disaster preparedness purposes.

The bill also contains $23 million the Senators secured for New Mexico Tech's National Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center.  New Mexico Tech is a member of the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium, which provides natural disaster preparedness training.

"This spending bill funds the very important work of the Border Patrol agents who secure our borders and the Customs officials who help advance commerce between the United States and Mexico," Bingaman said.

"The funding in this bill for the National Infrastructure Simulation and Analysis Center (NISAC) ensures they will continue to provide critical research and expertise. NISAC is a perfect example of the diverse capabilities housed at Sandia and Los Alamos National Labs and highlights the work they do in many areas for our national security," said Udall. "We are also pleased there is critical funding to support New Mexico Tech's role in training our first responders and helping ensure public safety and preparedness in the event of any disaster."

Additional information on the bill can be found online at the Senate Appropriations website.