{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=6870129B-6EA4-4B1D-82F4-397B48DA0952", "Chairman McConnell Secures $1.7 Billion in Federal Funding for Kentucky Defense Priorities", "2026-02-03", "2026", "2026-02", "Republican", "Senate", "KY", "Mitch McConnell", "M000355", "www.mcconnell.senate.gov", "mcconnell", "https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, announced today that he secured nearly $1.7 billion in federal funding in the FY 2026 Defense Appropriations bill. The federal resources would be used to strengthen the defense industrial base in Kentucky, including projects at the University of Louisville, University of Kentucky, Ft. Knox, and Blue Grass Army Depot.\n\nAs a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator McConnell played a key role in shaping the legislation. The measure now goes to President Trump to be signed into law.\n\n\u201cHard power is the cornerstone of U.S. national security \u2013 securing federal funding for Kentucky\u2019s defense priorities is essential to keeping our nation safe and our commitments credible. And investing accordingly is among the core responsibilities of the Congress,\u201d said Chairman McConnell. \u201cI\u2019m proud that the Senate has upheld that responsibility by passing the defense appropriations bill, ensuring Kentucky continues to contribute to our national defense and deterrence.\u201d\n\nThe projects secured by Senator McConnell in the bill include:\n\nSupporting Defense-Related Research at Kentucky\u2019s Universities\n\n$20 million to support the Army\u2019s continued development of advanced materials and additive manufacturing techniques in partnership with the University of Kentucky.\n\n$9 million to support submarine stealth technology research at the University of Kentucky.\n\n\u201cWe extend our deepest gratitude to Senator Mitch McConnell for his ongoing support of research collaborations that continue to drive innovation and prepare a highly skilled workforce here in Kentucky,\u201d said University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto. \u201cThese investments highlight the value of collaborative research that brings together universities, federal laboratories and industry to solve complex engineering and manufacturing challenges. Through partnerships with the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy, UK researchers are advancing materials science, automation and monitoring technologies that strengthen domestic capabilities and expand hands-on training opportunities for students and researchers.\u201d\n\n$16 million to support the establishment of new Defense Innovation Unit OnRamp defense-technology gateways, including at UofL.\n\n$2.5 million to fund research into warfighter molecular and cellular health at UofL.\n\n$12 million to support the National Security Agency\u2019s cyber workforce training partnership in cooperation with UofL and other universities.\n\nUniversity of Louisville President Gerry Bradley said, \u201cWe are very thankful for Senator McConnell\u2019s support to create the Kentucky Defense Innovation Unit OnRamp Hub at the University of Louisville, as well as the continued support of our Veterans Cyber Initiative. These federal investments will significantly expand the university\u2019s ability to support our nation. As the operator of OnRamp Hub: Kentucky, the University is building a unified defense innovation network across the state and speeding up the development of advanced solutions critical to national security.\u201d\n\nModernizing Infrastructure at Kentucky\u2019s Military Facilities\n\nNearly $1 billion in federal funding for Blue Grass Army Depot (BGAD)\n\n$903 million to fund the expansion of manufacturing capacity for energetics materials at BGAD.\n\n$59.96 million to invest in energetics manufacturing capability resiliency at BGAD.\n\n$3.2 million to fund the construction of a new raw water line at BGAD.\n\n$1 million to support ground-breaking research efforts at BGAD to develop new remote sensing techniques for surveillance at defense facilities.\n\n\u201cThroughout his career, Senator McConnell has recognized the profound economic impact that Blue Grass Army Depot has in Madison County and its important contribution to our national defense,\u201d said Madison County Judge/Executive Reagan Taylor. \u201cThe nearly $1 billion in investment that this legislation sets aside for Blue Grass Army Depot not only represents a powerful endorsement of its potential as a cornerstone of America\u2019s energetics manufacturing base, but also in the talent and value of the Depot\u2019s workforce. I appreciate Senator McConnell\u2019s sustained focus and working alongside us on job replacement at Blue Grass Army Depot and am grateful for this investment in the Depot and Madison County\u2019s shared future.\u201d\n\n$8 million to construct a new gas line to serve Ft. Knox\u2019s energy needs.\n\n$2.5 million to upgrade Ft. Knox\u2019s railhead facilities that support the installation\u2019s role as a Mobilization Force Generation Installation.\n\nThis legislation also contains language to prohibit the use of appropriated funds to close the General George Patton Museum of Leadership at Fort Knox.\n\n\u201cSenator McConnell\u2019s unwavering support for Fort Knox cannot be overstated. From these critical infrastructure investments that elevate the installation\u2019s military readiness and strategic importance to the protection of one of our most treasured and visited tourist attractions, we cannot say enough about his commitment to our installation, our national defense and to our regional economy,\u201d said President and CEO of the Knox Regional Development Alliance Lance O\u2019Bryan.\n\n$1.875 million to furnish the Kentucky National Guard\u2019s Vehicle Maintenance Shop in Northern Kentucky.\n\nStrengthening the Defense Industrial Base in Kentucky", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=6870129B-6EA4-4B1D-82F4-397B48DA0952"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.6810030899941921, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}