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Legislation to Strengthen National Defense to be Signed into Law with Provisions Championed by Senator Collins

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, announced that the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which authorizes $841.4 billion for military and national security programs at the Department of Defense and $32.4 billion for the Department of Energy, passed the Senate by an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 87-13. The annual defense bill authorizes spending levels and sets policy for the military and critical national defense priorities. The legislation, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives today, now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

“Every year for the past six decades, Congress has fulfilled one of their most important responsibilities—ensuring our national security—by passing the NDAA,” said Senator Collins. “This legislation addresses the national security threats facing our nation today and supports the brave men and women of our armed forces. Additionally, the NDAA will support hardworking Mainers at BIW, PNSY, Pratt & Whitney, and elsewhere across the State, who make invaluable contributions to our defense.”  

The NDAA also includes a number of provisions Senator Collins strongly advocated for that will benefit Maine: 

  • Support for BIW.  The NDAA authorizes $4.2 billion for two Arleigh-Burke Destroyers in FY24 and $784 million for advanced procurement of two additional ships in FY25. The NDAA also includes a provision Senator Collins authored that supports the use of multiyear contracting authority to improve industrial base stability. This modified authority ensures DOD considers industrial base stability, not just projected cost savings, when awarding contracts.
  • Support for PNSY.  The NDAA authorizes $544.8 million for the fourth increment of the Dry Dock #1 military construction (MILCON) project at PNSY. Senator Collins, Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, announced in June that she secured this funding in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MilCon-VA) Appropriations Act, which passed the Senate last month. The NDAA also extends direct hire authority for certain DOD personnel, including shipyard technicians, through FY2025. This direct hire authority is critical to ensuring PNSY can continue to hire qualified technicians that are critical to shipyard operations.
  • Support for Defense Contractors in Maine.  The NDAA authorizes funding to procure a total of 83 F-35 jets. It also authorizes the procurement of 15 CH-53K helicopters. Pratt & Whitney’s North Berwick facility manufactures the F135 engine for the F-35s, and Hunting Dearborn in Fryeburg has made important contributions to the F-35 and CH-53K program for years.
  • Support for Maine Air National Guard.  The NDAA authorizes $7,420,000 million to complete a new Maine National Guard Vehicle Maintenance Shop in Saco. Senator Collins secured this funding in the FY 2024 Milcon-VA appropriations bill that passed the Senate in November. 
  • Support for U.S. Troops.  The NDAA supports a 5.2% raise for servicemembers and DOD civilians. 

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