SENATE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE APPROVES DEFENSE BILL THAT INCLUDES SENATOR COLLINS' PROVISIONS FOR MAINE
With the support of Senator Susan Collins, the Senate Armed Services Committee has approved the fiscal year 2011 Defense Authorization bill, which authorizes $726 billion in funding for the U.S. Department of Defense. The bill includes more than $12 billion in funding for defense projects at Pratt & Whitney, Bath Iron Works, the University of Maine, General Dynamics Armament Technical Products in Saco, and other Maine companies.
"This legislation contains a variety of crucial provisions that will provide critical force protection to our men and women in uniform; restore our military's readiness; and continue the development of technologies to counter existing and emerging threats. I am pleased that the Committee accepted five of my amendments, which will help to improve our national security and the treatment and morale of our men and women in uniform," said Senator Collins, who is a member of the Senate Armed Services and Appropriations Committees. "In addition, the Senate Armed Services Committee has again recognized the valuable contributions of Maine companies to our national security by supporting my requests to fund important defense programs in our state."
Among the amendments sponsored by Senator Collins that the Committee adopted were measures to allow full and open competition among small arms manufacturers, which will ensure companies such as Maine's own Smith & Wesson can compete for contracts. Additionally, Senator Collins wrote amendments to make it easier for our armed service men and women to access mental health services, and to prevent the Department of Defense from entering into contracts with any company doing business in the energy sector of Iran. Senator Collins also included language adopted by the entire committee stating that the Navy is not building enough destroyers and expects the Department to review the size of the fleet. Lastly, Senator Collins added language to the bill that would make surplus small arms ammunition available to hunters and gun owners. Senator Collins ensured that the provision reserved the right of federal agencies and local law enforcement officials to have the first opportunity to purchase the discounted ammunition - a change supported by the National Sheriffs' Association and adopted by the Committee.
In addition, Senator Collins was able to successfully authorize funding for the following Maine projects:
• $3 billion to purchase two DDG-51s next year. One of these ships will be built at Bath Iron Works. An additional $577 million to begin funding for a DDG-51 to be built in two years.
• $186 million for the DDG-1000 program.
• $17.2 million to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard for Phase I of the consolidation of the structural shops there. The project will also modernize the existing steel fabrication facility and will ultimately allow for each submarine to be returned to active duty five days earlier with the Shipyard realizing an average annual savings of approximately $6 million per year. Once completed, the project will result in a 30% reduction in energy costs for the new facility.
• $9.1 billion to purchase 42 Joint Strike Fighters (F-35). The engines for these planes are built by Pratt & Whitney in North Berwick.
• $325 million to purchase 6 F/A-18 Navy Strike Fighter aircraft. The Gatling gun system for the F-18 and the Joint Strike Fighter are built by General Dynamics Armament in Saco.
• $6 million to General Dynamics Armament in Saco to build M2A1 quick change barrel kits.
• $3 million to Orono Spectral Solutions to support research on chemical and biological infrared detectors.
• $2.5 million to Telford/SAIC to support an unmanned lighter-than-air research platform for the Navy.
• $2 million to Hodgdon Defense Composites to support research on lightweight composite designs for special operations forces boats.
• $2 million to Pepin Associates in Greenville to support research on formable textiles for the Navy.
• $2 million to the University of Maine to support research on health monitoring sensors for aircraft components.
• $1.5 million to Integrated Systems Solutions for a project at the former Loring Air Force Base to support engineering and design of a hybrid heavy lift transport for the Navy.
• $1.5 million to the University of Maine to support research on biomass conversion.
• $1.5 million to ANGEL Secure Networks to develop anti-tamper software systems.
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