Rep. Scott Rigell, R-2nd, also worked with the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport and the House Appropriations Committee to secure funding in the bill to restore the launch pad, according to his press secretary, Kaylin Minton.

Rigell represents Virginia’s Eastern Shore, where Wallops is located. Minton called the Wallops facility “a world-class operation and a critical component for continued space exploration.”

“These funds will help ensure that future scheduled launches will remain as planned and that commercial spaceflight maintains its economic presence on Virginia’s Eastern Shore at NASA Wallops,” she said.

The launch pad sustained an estimated $13 million to $20 million in damage when the Antares rocket exploded seconds into liftoff on Oct. 28 for a mission to resupply the International Space Station. Gov. Terry McAuliffe asked Warner and Kaine to seek federal funding to help the state cover the damage to the pad, which is self-insured.

Brian Coy, spokesman for McAuliffe, said, “The governor is encouraged by the inclusion of $20 million in funding in the omnibus appropriations bill” and would work closely with the congressional delegation “to ensure that funding will help with recovery efforts after the recent explosion at the (spaceport) facility on Wallops Island.”