Specifically, the President's budget recommended $50 million for advance procurement for the DD(X) for fiscal year 2006. Senator Collins successfully argued that the amount should be increased to $100 million when the Senate Armed Services Committee passed its defense authorization bill in May. The House would not only rescind the $84 million already earmarked for BIW, it drastically cuts spending for the DD(X) program. Instead, the House panel has proposed funding an additional DDG destroyer, which could be built at either BIW or Ingalls.
"Under no scenario is this House spending bill anything but bad news for BIW and its workers. The DD(X) program, which is the next generation destroyer for the Navy, is critical to the future of BIW. It is unfortunate that the House Defense Appropriations bill does not take into account the needs of the Navy and does not recognize the importance of the DD(X) program. Rather, that bill slashes funding far below the President's requested level and that of the Senate Defense Authorization bill. I am particularly angry about the cut of $84.4 million that I secured last year for BIW to perform detailed design work on the DD(X). Many BIW workers have been counting on this funding," said Senator Collins.
Senator Collins has been working with the Navy to encourage immediate releases of the $84.4 million to BIW.
"As the Senate proceeds with its authorization and appropriations bills and the two chambers eventually meet to work out differences, I will continue to fight against these ill-advised cuts to this program that is crucial to BIW and to our national security," said Senator Collins.
Senator Collins, who is a Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, is the only member of the Maine delegation to serve on a defense panel.
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