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Golden Statement on Release of Defense Subcommittee Appropriations Bill

June 29, 2021

House Defense Subcommittee Appropriations Bill rejects proposed DDG-51 cut

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) released a statement today following the release of the Fiscal Year 2022 Defense Subcommittee Appropriations Bill. The bill appropriates funds for two DDG-51 destroyers, rejecting the reduction sought by the Biden Administration in their budget request a month earlier.

Over the last four weeks, Golden has used his position on the House Armed Services Committee to fight against the reduction, which could have severe consequences for both the shipbuilding workforce at Bath Iron Works (BIW) and American naval capabilities around the globe.

"We've been working for weeks to restore approval and funding for a DDG-51 destroyer in next year's defense budget. Today's news puts the delegation in a strong starting position to defeat this ill-advised cut proposed by the president's administration," said Golden.

The subcommittee's bill is the first indication that Congress will fund a second DDG-51 in the next fiscal year, despite the administration's budget proposal to cut funding of the ship. After the administration released its proposal to reduce DDG-51 shipbuilding, Golden has forcefully made the case that such a cut should be reversed.

"I'm pleased that my colleagues recognize the need for this second destroyer," continued Golden. "As we work to pass new defense authorization and appropriations into law, I'll continue to work with my colleagues in the House to build the shipbuilding budget that the nation needs for our national security."

Golden's actions to reverse the administration's requested reduction in DDG-51 shipbuilding include: