House Passes Defense Bill with Golden Amendment to Boost DDG-51 Shipbuilding and Increase Defense Budget

WASHINGTON — The House of Representatives passed the FY 2023 National Defense Authorization Act last night, 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 3rd DDG-51 destroyer, $250 million in shipyard infrastructure, and pay bonuses for servicemembers, among other investments. 

“After months of negotiation, the legislation we passed in the House this week brings us one step closer to delivering stronger national security, more support for our men and women in uniform, and good investments in our Navy,” said Golden. “From increasing our investment in national defense and providing a raise for our military, to securing authorization for a 3rd DDG-51 destroyer this year and up to 15 over the next five years, this bill is important for our country’s defense and the many Mainers who contribute towards it, including those at BIW and PNSY. I was proud to help pass this bill through the House and look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate to send this bill to the president’s desk.”

Golden introduced his amendment to increase defense spending at the NDAA markup for the House Armed Services Committee. The amendment passed out of the committee with bipartisan support.

The final House FY2023 NDAA contains provisions Congressman Golden worked to secure on a number of priorities, including: 

Shipbuilding:

• Establishing 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; 

• Authorizing $1.2 billion for a third DDG in the next fiscal year;
• Authorizing $250 million in shipyard infrastructure for Bath Iron Works and Ingalls, the two shipyards that build destroyers; 
• Authorizing $618 million for Advanced Procurement (AP) DDG-51 funding to help ensure long-term stability at BIW; and
• Preparing for the next generation of Bath-built destroyer with $75.3 million in funding for research, development, testing, and evaluation of the DDG(X) destroyer.

Research and Innovation in Maine:

• Funding $4 million for University of Maine defense research programs; and
• Creating a pilot program that would use mass-timber construction for certain military buildings.

Servicemembers and Veterans:

• Authorizing a 4.6% pay increase for servicemembers, as well as $1.4 billion in personnel bonuses to help address the effects of inflation;
• Eliminating the VA’s Asset and Infrastructure (AIR) Commission, which was tasked with considering recommendations to close a number of VA facilities in rural America, including those in Fort Kent, Houlton, and Rumford. The provision mirrors legislation introduced by Congressman Golden; and
• Securing additional mental health support and benefits for servicemembers who served at Hamid Karzai International Airport during the evacuation of Afghanistan in August 2021. 

Other: 

• Providing Wabanaki tribes in Maine with the same access to future federal programs and benefits as nearly every other federally recognized tribe; 
• Authorizing $1 billion to support the Ukrainian people in their fight for freedom through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative; and
• Preventing the Air Force from diverting training and maintenance funds from National Guard refueling tankers like the KC-135 used in Maine.

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