Bill to Fund Key Defense Programs in Maine Clears Appropriations Committee

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee and Ranking Member of the Defense Subcommittee, announced that she advanced key funding for Maine in the Fiscal Year 2025 Department of Defense Appropriations Act.

The measure, which was advanced by a unanimous vote of 28-0, provides $851.7 billion in discretionary funding.

“This legislation supports the brave men and women of our armed forces as well as the hardworking Mainers at BIW, PNSY, Pratt & Whitney, and elsewhere across the state, who make invaluable contributions to our nation’s defense,” said Senator Collins.  “As the Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee and Ranking Member of the Defense Subcommittee, I will continue to advance this funding as the appropriations process moves forward.”

Bill Highlights:

Pay increase: Funds a 4.5 percent pay raise for service members and a 5.5 percent pay raise for the most junior enlisted personnel.

Bath Iron Works (BIW) Workforce:

• $4.7 billion for two DDG-51’s and an additional $1.5 billion above the President’s budget request for a third DDG-51.

• $1.7 billion for cost-to-complete costs to fully fund the multi-year contract of Fiscal Years 2023 and 2024 DDG-51s.

• $83.2 million in advance procurement for FY 2026 and FY 2027 DDG-51s, which includes initial funding for an additional DDG-51 in future years.

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY) Workforce: The bill maintains a requirement that the Navy induct no fewer than 100 apprentices at PNSY and each of the other shipyards, and it provides $14.5 billion to fund all executable ship depot maintenance operations and public shipyards.

• $1.4 billion for the Navy’s Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program, $668 million more than the President’s budget request, including $68 million for infrastructure investments at PNSY.

• $578 million for Virginia-class submarine spares and repair parts to assist in efficient submarine maintenance at PNSY.

Pratt & Whitney Workforce:

• $69 million for ten spare F-100 aircraft engines for the Air National Guard F-16 aircraft.

• $47.5 million to procure two additional spares and power modules for the F-135 engine included on the Marine Corps’ unfunded priorities list.  Addressing this shortfall will reduce wait times associated with replacing an engine at sea and improve overall readiness and aircraft availability. 

• Bill language prohibiting the integration of any alternative engine into the F-35.

University of Maine (UMaine) Defense Research: $45 million for Department of Defense research that could benefit research and development efforts at UMaine.

This funding advanced through the Committee’s markup of the Fiscal Year 2025 Department of Defense Appropriations Act—an important step that now allows the bill to be considered by the full Senate.  Committee consideration of legislation is a key part of regular order, which helps our government function efficiently and deliver results for the people of Maine and America.     

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