The U.S. House passed a bill Wednesday that includes more than $8.7 billion to continue implementing the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure decision.

That's a $667 million increase from 2008, according to U.S. Rep. Bud Cramer, D-Huntsville.

In the BRAC plan, the Army Materiel Command, Security Assistance Command will move to Redstone Arsenal from Fort Belvoir, Va. They, along with the bulk of the Missile Defense Agency, the 2nd Recruiting Brigade and increasing helicopter work, are expected to bring more than 4,500 jobs to the Huntsville area by 2011.

The Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance and Continuing Appropriations Act approved Wednesday allows the Pentagon to direct funds to Redstone for BRAC work.

"I am pleased that Congress is continuing to keep the 2005 BRAC decisions funded and on time," Cramer said in a statement. "Congress remains committed to following through with the BRAC recommendations, and I will continue to work with members of the Alabama delegation to keep BRAC on track at Redstone Arsenal."

The bill also includes $47.6 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs for veterans medical care, additional claims processors and facility improvements, and increases the travel reimbursement rate from 28.5 cents to 41.5 cents per mile.

It also includes $41 billion for the Veterans Health Administration, including $3.8 billion for specialty mental care and $250 million to improve medical care access for veterans in rural areas.

Courtesy of the Huntsville Times