The U.S. House of Representatives approved $101.3 million in federal funds for Aberdeen Proving Ground.

The bill, approved 411-5 in the House of Representatives, is part of the Military Construction – Veterans Affairs Appropriations Bill for fiscal year 2012, which also includes funding for Fort Meade and other military facilities in Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger's Second Congressional District of Maryland.

More than $101 million was awarded to Aberdeen Proving Ground: $15.5 million for Auto Technology Evaluation Facility, $63 million for Command and Control Facility and $22.8 million for U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense Replacement.

The bill provides $72.5 billion in discretionary funding for military construction projects, veterans programs and other agencies that support the quality of life for warfighters and veterans. The funding is $615 million less than last year's spending level and $1.2 billion below the president's budget request. The bill now goes to the U.S. Senate.

"America's men and women in uniform courageously answered the call to serve their country and deserve support for their sacrifices," Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, said in a press release. "This bill fully funds defense hospitals, schools and family housing as well as critical medical and education benefits for our veterans. It also pays for some of the most-pressing needs at Maryland military facilities while acknowledging our responsibility to reduce government spending and reign in the federal deficit."

The bill includes $721.6 million for projects across Maryland.