TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – Funding for the next phase of construction of a national research lab at Kansas State University is closer to reality after the U.S. House passed a bipartisan budget agreement.

If the Senate goes along with the deal in the coming days, $404 million will be appropriated to continue construction of the $1.25 billion National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility in near Manhattan.

The lab will replace an aging facility at Plum Island, N.Y., and conduct research on deadly animal pathogens. Construction has started on a central utility plant that will provide services to the lab.

Kansas Reps. Lynn Jenkins and Kevin Yoder voted in favor of the budget proposal, while Reps. Tim Huelskamp and Mike Pompeo voted against it. All four are Republicans.