Golden introduces NDAA amendments to protect, strengthen domestic shipbuilding, manufacturing

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today announced the introduction of three amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would protect domestic shipbuilding and ensure combat boots worn by service members are made in America. 

The amendments will be considered by the House Armed Services Committee (HASC), when it reviews and finalizes the NDAA during a markup scheduled for tomorrow. 

“Wherever possible, American military spending should support Americans’ jobs — not only out of a sense of patriotism, but to secure supply chains and ensure the United States reaps the innovation benefits that a strong manufacturing base provides,” Golden said. “The Pentagon’s budget proposal shortchanges production of DDG-51 destroyers made in Bath, it sends shipbuilding jobs overseas and it continues a loophole that puts foreign-produced boots into our service members’ footlockers. My amendments fix these failures, strengthen national security and protect American jobs.” 

Golden’s amendments would make the following changes to the current draft of the NDAA, known as the “chairman’s mark”: 

1. Additional Funds to Ensure Construction of a DDG-51 Destroyer at Bath Iron Works (BIW): This amendment would increase funding for a second DDG-51 by $500 million, bringing the total to $1 billion. It would also allow incremental funding, which will keep shipbuilders working at BIW.  
   1. Background: In April, Rep. Golden questioned Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on the future of the DDG-51 destroyer and why the Pentagon’s budget proposal cuts procurement of this proven “workhorse” down to a single ship (video, press release), and failed to include multi-year procurement of destroyers. In committee, Golden advocated for — and won — authorization for a second ship, to be built at BIW, and for multi-year procurement necessary to ensure DDG-51s are built well into the future.
       
2. Blocking U.S. Navy Plans to Send Shipbuilding Jobs Overseas: A second amendment would prevent the administration from offshoring shipbuilding jobs by adding language to specify that none of the funds authorized to be appropriated for the Navy in FY27 may be obligated or expended to enter into a contract for the procurement of a battle force ship to be built in a foreign yard. 
   1. Background: In May, Rep. Golden questioned Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao about the Navy’s proposal to send shipbuilding jobs overseas and pledged to introduce an amendment to stop it (video, press release).
       
3. Strengthening Existing Requirements that Troop Apparel be American-Made (BOOTS Act): A third amendment would require that all footwear worn by members of the Armed Forces be made in the United States. 
   1. Background: This proposal mirrors Golden’s BOOTS Act, legislation he passed through the NDAA last year, which was later stripped in the Senate. Existing made-in-America requirements under the Berry Amendment stipulate that all troop apparel be manufactured in the United States, with U.S.-based materials. However, a loophole allows troops to purchase additional footwear that is not compliant with the Berry Amendment, undermining troop readiness and American manufacturers. New Balance has said that it would produce Berry-compliant footwear at its Skowhegan manufacturing plant, and that enactment of the Boots Act will support jobs in Maine for years to come. 

Golden will speak in support of his amendments during the HASC markup of the NDAA schedule for Thursday evening. 

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