Senator Collins Meets with Chief of Naval Operations

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Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Susan Collins met with Admiral Michael Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations, in her Washington, D.C., office.  

“Maine has a proud history of building and maintaining our naval fleet, which is vital to ensuring that our sailors are safe while defending our country at sea.  That tradition is carried on today by the skilled and hardworking employees at Bath Iron Works and Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery,” said Senator Collins.  “I look forward to working with CNO Admiral Gilday to modernize our shipyards and strengthen our Navy.”

As a senior member of the Appropriations Committee and the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Collins secured $130 million for shipyard infrastructure investment in the fiscal year (FY) 2020 appropriations bill.  Bath Iron Works (BIW) can draw upon this funding to make important improvements to its digital design and shipbuilding technology.

In November, Senator Collins delivered remarks at a dual groundbreaking ceremony at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY) for two projects: the new Paint, Blast, and Rubber Facility and the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Consolidated Warehouse.  The groundbreakings came hours after the announcement of a contract award for a third, separate project: a nearly $158 million contract to modernize Dry Dock #1.