House Passes Defense Funding Bill with Maine Priorities

WASHINGTON — The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) today. The bill includes a number of important measures pushed for by Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) to support Maine's shipbuilders, servicemembers, universities, and manufacturers. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, Golden helped secure authorization in the FY 2020 NDAA for the construction of three DDG-51 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, at least one of which will be built at Bath Iron Works.

"Today's legislation gives our armed forces the tools they need to defend our country and provides the necessary resources to support good Maine jobs," Congressman Golden said. "Mainers all over our state contribute to our national defense, whether they're performing research at universities, serving in the Maine National Guard, or building the finest warships on the planet at Bath."

Included in today's bill is a provision introduced by Golden which directs the Navy to develop a plan to grow and train the workforce necessary to achieve their 30-year shipbuilding goal of a 355-ship fleet.

The Golden-supported FY 2020 NDAA included authorization for a 3.1% increase in pay for the nation's servicemembers, the largest increase in a decade and the same amount requested by the Trump Administration. Despite the fact that the bill authorizes more pay for American troops and a historic level of funding for the nation's defense overall, Golden's Republican colleagues broke with almost six decades of bipartisan precedent and withheld their support for this critical bill and the country's servicemembers.

Golden cast several votes that affirmed the vital role of Congress in authorizing military action. In floor debate for the bill, Golden voted for an amendment that would repeal the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution (AUMF) of 2002. The 2002 AUMF, which provided the Bush Administration with authority to attack Iraq during the reign of Saddam Hussein, has been rendered obsolete and is not needed by the Pentagon to conduct current military operations. Golden also supported an amendment that affirms Congress' authority under the War Powers Resolution and prevents President Trump from a military attack on Iran unless authorized by Congress. Golden also made clear that America must continue to fight Al Qaeda by voting against a measure that supports the termination of the 2001 AUMF passed in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks.

Golden worked to include many Maine priorities in this year's NDAA, including:

DDG-1000 Zumwalt-class Upgrades and Maintenance: This provision authorizes additional development funding for the DDG-1000 Zumwalt-class Guided-missile Destroyer program. The provision ensures BIW, as a partner for the DDG-1000 program, can continue its work on the ships.

The FFG(X) Frigate Shipbuilding Program: This provision authorizes initial production of the FFG(X) Guided Missile Frigate Shipbuilding Program. The program looks to build a class of 20 FGG(X) frigates over the next 10 years, and BIW is one of four remaining competitors for that contract.

The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program: This provision authorizes the purchase of additional F-35 joint strike fighter aircraft. Hunting Dearborn, which employs more than 250 people in the Fryeburg area, manufactures components for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Additionally, the NDAA funded the purchase of new CH-53K King Stallion helicopters, components for which are also manufactured at Hunting Dearborn's Fryeburg location.

Research at the University of Maine: These provisions authorize important research performed at the University of Maine and other institutions, including research into cutting edge composites, thermoplastics, lasers, and other materials.

PFAS Cleanup and Screening for Bangor Air National Guard Base: This provision makes federal funds accessible to Bangor Air National Guard Base and other National Guard facilities for the cleanup of dangerous per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) chemicals. PFAS chemicals have been used on military installations for several decades as a firefighting material, but have recently been linked to increased risk of cancer, birth defects, developmental delays in children, and other serious health conditions. Currently, National Guard facilities like the one in Bangor do not have access to funding to perform PFAS remediation.

The FY2020 NDAA also includes:

• A tenant bill of rights that protects families in privatized military housing. Earlier this year, Golden joined a bipartisan call for action to address reports of unsafe lead and mold levels in privatized military housing;
• Requirements for the Department of Defense to plan for potential threats posed by climate change; and
• Measures to protect the American military from cyber threats.

With the House's passage of the NDAA, the defense package will now head to conference to reconcile differences between the House and Senate bills.

Congressman Golden is a member of the House Armed Services Committee. He sits on Seapower and Projection Forces and Tactical Air and Land Subcommittees.