TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A U.S. Senate subcommittee has endorsed a spending bill that would authorize $300 million for the construction of a new national bioscience lab at Kansas State University in Manhattan.

In a joint news release Tuesday, Republican Sens. Pat Roberts and Jerry Moran say the money for the National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility was approved by Senate Homeland Security Subcommittee on Appropriations. The bill awaits a vote by the full Senate. A similar amount is pending in a bill before the U.S. House.

The $1.25 billion lab is designed to conduct research on large animals and related diseases, replacing an aging facility at Plum Island, New York.

Roberts and Moran say the funding is equal to the amount sought by President Barack Obama in his budget.

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MANHATTAN, Kan- It is a very important day for the future of the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility.

Senator Jerry Moran wrote on his Facebook page, “Today, the Senate Homeland Security Subcommittee on Appropriations on which I serve is poised to pass the FY2015 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill, which includes $300 million for construction of NBAF.

This funding is a critical step forward to finish construction of the lab in Manhattan. It solidifies Congressional support for construction of the modern, world-class facility which will protect Americans against biological threats.

Kansas will become a research epicenter, and the construction will ultimately create jobs for Kansans in the fields of engineering, science and technology. The talented young men and women who grow up here will have more opportunities to work and live in Kansas. Following Subcommittee passage, the bill will await passage by the full Appropriations Committee on Thursday, which I’m confident will occur.”