U.S. SENATE CONSIDERING DEFENSE BILL THAT INCLUDES SENATOR COLLINS’ PROVISIONS FOR THE DD(X) PROGRAM, BIW, AND KITTERY-PORTSMOUTH NAVAL SHIPYARD
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Senate is currently considering the fiscal year 2007 Defense Authorization bill, which includes key provisions authored by Senator Collins for the DD(X) program and Bath Iron Works (BIW). In addition, the legislation would authorize $9.6 million for the construction of a new Drydock Waterfront Support Facility at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery.
Senator Collins, a member of the Senate Armed Service committee, addressed the Senate today in support of the legislation, highlighting important provisions. “This legislation provides essential resources to our troops as they engage in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, training at home, or deployments in other countries around the world,” said Senator Collins. Senator Collins says she is pleased that this bill addresses her concerns that Navy shipbuilding has been inadequately funded and has lacked stability from year-to-year.
“This bill strengthens our nation’s shipbuilding program by authorizing construction for eight new ships and providing $12.1 billion for shipbuilding—an increase of $1.5 billion above the President’s request,” said Senator Collins. “This legislation wisely focuses upon the declining size of the Navy fleet and has taken significant strides to strengthen the shipbuilding program and providing much-needed stability for the industrial base that will be called upon to build the future force.”
Senator Collins also commended her Senate colleagues for placing such a high priority on shipbuilding, including construction of two DD(X) ships in FY 2007 and 2008, which is in stark contrast to the House Defense Authorization bill, which recommends full funding for the procurement of only one DD(X). “The House bill recommends reducing the overall DD(X) program to only two ships—a significant decrease from the Navy's requirement for a minimum of seven DD(X) ships
in its 313-ship plan. Capping the DD(X) program at two ships would be a major blow to our surface combatant industrial base and would be detrimental to our national security, which requires that a high priority be placed upon providing sustained funding to maintain and build up our naval fleet to counter existing and emerging threats.”
Senator Collins also pointed out that the Senate Defense Authorization bill includes her request for $25 million in funding to accomplish planning and engineering for modernization of the DDG-51 Arleigh Burke destroyer class. This program provides significant savings to the Navy by applying some of the technology that is being developed for the DD(X) and back fitting the DDG, which reduces the crew size by 30 to 40 people. The bill also includes funding requested by Senator Collins for other defense-related projects that benefit Maine and our national security including:
- $2 million to the University of Maine’s Army Center of Excellence in order to continue the design and testing of lightweight ballistic panel tent inserts made from composite materials. These life-saving panels protect our troops from insurgent attacks when they are sheltered in temporary dining or sleeping facilities in hostile environments.
- $9.6 million for the Kittery-Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Drydock Waterfront Support Facility in Kittery, Maine. This new facility will replace the current submarine support center that is more than 60 years old and poorly designed for its current use.
