Golden wins Armed Services Committee approval for new Bath-built destroyer, other major Maine investments

WASHINGTON — The House Armed Services Committee late last night approved the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, with provisions by Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) directing billions in federal dollars to Maine, including funds for a new DDG-51 destroyer to be built at Bath Iron Works. 

Golden, a member of the committee, ensured the annual defense authorization bill secures the future of shipbuilding jobs in Bath and invests in Maine-based manufacturers and institutions. 

“Maine’s shipbuilding industry doesn’t just provide good-paying jobs for Mainers, it is a critical element of the United States’ military readiness and ability to protect our country,” Congressman Golden said. “Likewise, our state is home to manufacturers and researchers that are ready and able to support our servicemembers. This year’s NDAA cements Maine’s key role in America’s national defense.”

Golden ensured that through the NDAA, Bath Iron Works will continue to play a leading role in the production of naval warships. The bill includes an over $4.7 billion authorization for the construction of two DDG-51 destroyers next year, including one at BIW; $150.5 million for shipyard research and development to lay the foundation for the next generation of Bath-built ships; and $50 million for shipyard infrastructure divided between BIW and a shipyard in Mississippi. The bill also includes advanced funding with an eye toward the construction of two destroyers at BIW in 2026, and language to ensure the dredging of the Kennebec River necessary for BIW to get ships to the ocean. 

The NDAA directs millions in additional federal funds to Maine-based institutions and manufacturers. The University of Maine will receive $2.5 million to design and test rapidly deployable materials and structures suitable for extreme polar environments — a critical necessity to ensure deterrence capabilities. 

Lewiston-based Elmet Technologies, a 100 percent U.S.-owned and operated company, will receive $2.5 million to manufacture specialized alloys critical for munitions, reducing U.S. dependence of foreign-produced rounds.  

Golden also praised the NDAA’s inclusion of a 19.5 percent pay raise for the most junior enlisted service members. The raise applies to pay grades E-1 to E-4, such as the ranks of private to corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps, and is the first substantive increase to the bottom of the military’s pay scale since the 1980s. 

“Those who sign up to defend our country in the armed services deserve pay and benefits commensurate with their dedication to our nation,” Golden said. “This raise — along with investments in housing, health care and child care in this year’s NDAA — will help our country recruit and retain the military and civilian workforce we need for the future.” 

Golden also led inclusion of a provision to ensure time spent by soldiers receiving training and education to become officers is included as part of their official Time In Service, which affects — among other things — retirement and eligibility for promotions. This measure would bring parity to the Army by bringing its Time In Service calculation in line with the other military departments. 

The 2025 NDAA also includes the following Golden-led priorities: 

• Support for Maine-based wood products, through a directive to encourage the use of mass timber in military construction projects;  
• $5 million for Bridgton-based Howell Laboratories for the modernization of water purification systems on ships;
• A provision to protect positions in the Maine Air National Guard by prohibiting the reduction of KC-135 Aircraft until they can be replaced with next-generation aircraft. 
• A provision to support Brewer-based Compotech, Inc., by encouraging the use of their artificial intelligence and machine learning technology for weapons testing to improve the safety and success of U.S. armed forces.  
• $47.5 million for the U.S.-Israel Future of Warfare Fund and $30 million for U.S.-Israel Anti-Tunneling Cooperation. Golden was the lead Democratic sponsor on the bill establishing the Fund, which supports the bilateral research and development of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, directed energy and automation.

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