House passes defense authorization bill with Golden’s pro-shipbuilding provisions

WASHINGTON — The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday passed the 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), including provisions won by Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) to protect American shipbuilding from offshoring and to fund an additional destroyer to be built in Maine at Bath Iron Works (BIW). 

The 2027 NDAA authorizes $1.15 trillion in spending for the Department of Defense and other national security priorities. Golden — a member of the House Armed Services Committee, which drafted the bill — voted in favor of the legislation, which passed the House in a bipartisan 216-212 vote.

“This bill is a win for America’s shipbuilders, including the thousands of workers at Bath Iron Works for whom it will provide job security so they can keep building the world-class destroyers that are the workhorse of America’s surface fleet,” Golden said. “By blocking the Pentagon’s plan to move shipbuilding overseas, we have proven that Congress will act to protect American industry, jobs, innovation and our national security.” 

Golden fought successfully in committee to attach two critical provisions to the final 2027 NDAA:

• Language to block the U.S. Navy’s offshoring plan: In May, the Navy issued a shipbuilding plan that included a proposal to allow American ships, or parts of ships, to be built in overseas yards using foreign labor. Golden pushed back and won language to specify that no funds authorized under the 2027 NDAA may be obligated to enter into a contract for the procurement of a battle force ship to be built in a foreign yard. 
• Language to authorize additional funds to ensure construction of a DDG-51 destroyer at BIW: In previous years, the pentagon has requested authorization to build multiple DDG-51 destroyers, creating demand for ships at both Ingalls Shipbuilding in Mississippi and Bath Iron Works. This year, the president’s budget proposal included only one ship, which was expected to be built at Ingalls. General Dynamics, BIW’s parent company, told HASC that this would have resulted in layoffs in Bath. Ultimately, Golden successfully won inclusion of $1 billion for a second ship, expected to be built in Bath. His language also allowed for incremental funding, which will keep shipbuilders working at BIW. 

In addition to the shipbuilding provisions, Golden also lauded several elements of the 2027 NDAA that will improve quality of life for America’s service members. 

The most immediate individual benefits are a pay raise of 5 to 7 percent for all troops, improved cost-of-living adjustments for troops stationed in high-cost areas, increased paid leave allowances, fertility coverage and junior-reserve dental coverage. 

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