With Authorization for 3rd DDG-51 Destroyer, Golden Secures Wins for Bath Shipbuilders, UMaine, Servicemembers and Families in Final Defense Bill

Press Release

The conference report of the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) -- the final version of the legislation -- passed the House yesterday. The legislation contains a number of priorities fought for and secured by Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02), including much of an amendment he proposed and guided through the House to authorize a $37 billion increase in defense spending on investments in our national security, our servicemembers, and shipbuilders at Bath Iron Works. 

"I am proud to have supported a bill that fortifies our nation's security, ensures our men and women in uniform have the pay they deserve, and provides consistent work for our Navy's skilled shipbuilding workforce," said Golden. "This bill delivers authorization for a third DDG-51 destroyer, in addition to a contract for the construction of up to 15 DDGs over the next five years. The DDG is in a class of its own and so are the men and women at Bath Iron Works who make these ships." 

In June, Golden introduced an amendment to increase defense spending at the NDAA markup for the House Armed Services Committee. The amendment passed out of the committee with bipartisan support and was included in the version of the NDAA the House passed in July.

The final House FY2023 NDAA contains many of the provisions Congressman Golden worked to secure on a number of priorities, including: 

Shipbuilding:

Establishing a new multi-year contract for up to 15 DDG-51 destroyers over the next five years, many of which will be built at BIW; 
$250 million for infrastructure investments at large surface combatant shipyards (such as BIW);
Advanced procurement funding beyond the Administration's request for a potential, additional DDG next year;
Funding to support the DDG(X) development program. The DDG(X) is the planned successor large surface combatant to the DDG-51 destroyer. 

Research and Innovation in Maine:

Authorizing over $25 million for defense research programs including the University of Maine's large scale manufacturing program;
Securing $4 million Community Project Funding authorization for a joint University of Maine and Southern Maine Community College State-wide Partnership for Manufacturing Training Innovation program in Orono, Brunswick, and South Portland. These centers will help coordinate efforts and leverage resources to help Maine manufacturing businesses.  

ME Air National Guard: 

Provision limiting the number of reserve and National Guard KC-135 tanker aircraft (the kind used by the ME Air National Guard's 101st Air Refueling Wing ("Maineiacs") can convert from a primary to backup training and maintenance status. 

Servicemembers:

Authorizing a 4.6% pay increase for servicemembers to deal with rising costs due to inflation.

Small Business: 

Securing provision that instructs the Secretary of Defense to coordinate with an association of eligible Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs) to better manage the PTAC program. PTACs assist local businesses with navigating government contracting, including at the Department of Defense. 

Other: 

Authorizing $800 million to support the Ukrainian people in their fight for freedom through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative; 
Authorizing more than $6 billion for the European Defense Initiative, a Department of Defense program, to strengthen the capability of US forces, NATO allies, and our European partners to deter and, if necessary, respond to Russian aggression;
Authorizing $11.5 billion for the Indo-Pacific Deterrence Initiative, a Department of Defense program, to strengthen deterrence capabilities in the Indo-Pacific in response to Chinese coercion.

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