Bill to Fund Key Defense Programs in Maine Clears Appropriations Committee

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Appropriations Committee, announced that she secured significant funding and provisions for Maine in the Fiscal Year 2026 Defense Appropriations Act. The bill, which was officially approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee today, now awaits consideration by the full Senate and House.

The measure, which was advanced by a vote of 26-3, provides $851.9 billion in discretionary funding.

“This legislation supports the brave men and women of our armed forces as well as the hardworking Mainers at BIW, PNSY, Pratt & Whitney, and elsewhere across the state, who make invaluable contributions to our nation’s defense,” said Senator Collins. “As the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to advance this funding as the appropriations process moves forward.”

Bill Highlights: 

Pay increase: Funds a 3.8 percent pay raise for servicemembers and a 10 percent pay raise for junior enlisted personnel.

Bath Iron Works (BIW) Workforce:

• $1.3 billion in advance procurement for a third FY 2027 DDG-51.
• $450 million for large surface combatant shipyard infrastructure investments.
• $181.5 million for cost-to-complete costs of prior year DDG-51s.

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY) Workforce: Maintains a requirement that the Navy induct no fewer than 100 apprentices at PNSY and each of the other shipyards.

• $19 billion to fund all executable ship depot maintenance operations at public and private shipyards, including $1.4 billion at PNSY.
• $1.2 billion for the Navy’s Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program, including $24.1 million for infrastructure investments at PNSY.
• $153.4 million for Virginia-class submarine spares and repair parts to assist in efficient submarine maintenance at PNSY.

Pratt & Whitney Workforce:

• $280 million split equally between the Navy and the Air Force for F-135 spare parts.
• $282.5 million for F-135 Engine Core Upgrade, which will upgrade the current F-35 engine for all three F-35 variants.
• Bill language prohibiting the integration of any alternative engine into the F-35.

University of Maine (UMaine) Defense Research: $27.5 million for Department of Defense research that could benefit research and development efforts at UMaine, including $10 million to support the continued construction of UMaine’s flagship Additive and Hybrid Manufacturing pilot facility.

Marine Corps Investments: $44 million to support ongoing Marine Corps investments in amphibious, autonomous ground vehicle systems that enhance mobility, survivability, and operational reach in contested environments. One such platform is the Ripsaw Robotic Combat Vehicle, developed by Howe & Howe Technologies—a defense manufacturer based in Waterboro, Maine. Senator Collins has championed this cutting-edge technology as a model for the kind of innovation and industrial capability needed to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base.

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