CONGRESS INCLUDES COLLINS-BACKED PROVISIONS IN DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BILL

Washington, DC – Senator Susan Collins joined colleagues in supporting the Fiscal Year 2005 Defense Authorization Bill. The Senate passed this legislation after thorough deliberation by Senate and House conferees. This final legislation includes millions of dollars in shipbuilding funds that will benefit Bath Iron Works (BIW). It also includes increased benefits for members of the military, including reservists.

"Military men and women are putting their lives at risk to serve our country. The least we can do is guarantee that we give them the resources they need to remain the best paid, the best trained, and best equipped troops in the world," Senator Collins said. This legislation includes a 3.5 percent across the board pay raise for military personnel, a permanent increase in the rate of family separation allowances from $100 to $250 per month, and a permanent increase in imminent danger pay from $150 to $225 per month. The legislation also includes $757 million for force protection gear and combat clothing for members of the military, including body armor.

It also assists members of the reserve that have served on extended active duty by providing TRICARE Standard health coverage to reservists and their families. This bill also protects the financial security of survivors of military retirees by eliminating the Social Security offset under the Survivor Benefit Plan. The bill does this by increasing the annuities paid to survivors of military retirees who are 62 years of age or older over the next four years.

Senator Collins also worked to have the following projects that benefit BIW included in the fiscal year 2005 Defense Authorization legislation. The bill fully funds at a level of $3.5 billion, three DDGs, two of which will be built by BIW. It also includes $84.4 million for the first installment of BIWs construction of its first DD(X), the next generation destroyer. Finally, it also allots $50 million for the DDG-51 modernization. Bath will be involved in this modernization project.

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