Golden, Armed Services Chairman Adam Smith Visit BIW in Advance of End-of-Year Defense Bill Negotiations

Golden, Armed Services Chairman Adam Smith Visit BIW in Advance of End-of-Year Defense Bill Negotiations

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02), Vice-Chair of the House Armed Services Seapower Subcommittee, hosted House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith (WA-09) today at Bath Iron Works (BIW). The two committee members spoke with shipbuilders and the BIW leadership team, viewed ongoing structural fabrication, went aboard DDG-120, and toured the training center. 

“I’ve worked with Chairman Smith to deliver for our national security and American shipbuilders throughout my time in Congress,” said Golden. “Under his leadership, we were able to secure important wins for Bath shipbuilders and American servicemembers in this year’s defense funding bill, including three DDG-51 destroyers and a significant investment in shipyard infrastructure. Bringing the chairman here today to see the work being done and hear from the shipbuilders themselves arms the chairman and myself with the tools we need to push for BIW priorities as we negotiate with the Senate in the coming months.” 

“Congressman Golden has brought valuable expertise to the House Armed Services Committee for years, including insight from his experiences as a veteran alongside other members of the Committee who have served in our armed forces,” said Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. “I was pleased to visit Bath Iron Works today with him to meet with members of the shipbuilding community for whom he has advocated strongly since coming to Congress. I have said often that people play the most important role in strengthening our country's national security, and I have appreciated the chance to meet with so many people here -- those who wear the uniform, the workers who drive our defense industrial base forward, and more -- who all do so much to help keep our country safe.”

Chairman Smith’s visit follows House passage of the FY 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, including an amendment proposed by Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) to authorize a $37 billion increase in defense spending, including funding for the construction of a third DDG-51 destroyer, $250 million in shipyard infrastructure, pay bonuses for servicemembers, and 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, among other investments. Bath Iron Works (BIW) is one of two shipyards in the country that build the DDG-51 destroyers. The Senate has yet to pass their version of the NDAA, and negotiations will likely be necessary between the two chambers to pass legislation before the end of the year. 

Today’s visit from Chairman Smith is only the latest step in Congressman Golden’s work to support Maine shipbuilders. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee and vice chair of the panel's Seapower Subcommittee, Golden has consistently gone to bat for the shipbuilders at Bath Iron Works. Last year, Golden and the rest of the Maine congressional delegation worked to sound the alarm and fought back against cuts to DDG-51 shipbuilding proposed by the Biden Administration. Thanks in part to consistent  advocacy from Golden, the cuts were reversed in a bill signed into law this March. 

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