U.S. Senators have approved funding for a new national bio defense lab planned for Manhattan, Kansas.

Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kansas, says Homeland Security's request of $36.3 million toward the $451 million dollar facility is included in the Senate's appropriation bill.

It's not in the House version. A conference committee now works toward a final agreement.

Brownback says the Kansas Congressional delegation will fight for the money. He says NBAFis important for the country and Kansas.

It is estimated that over a twenty year period, NBAF would have a $3.5 billion impact on the Kansas economy. It could create as many as 500 high-paying, scientific federal jobs in Kansas and bring additional jobs in research partnerships to the state.