Washington, DC – Senator Susan Collins applauded the signing today by President Bush of the Fiscal Year 2005 Defense Appropriations Bill. The bill includes an additional $25 billion to support operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and a 3.5% pay increase for military personnel.
"We must continue our commitment to support our troops by ensuring they have the equipment and resources they need to accomplish their mission of bringing peace and stability to the people of Iraq, fighting global terrorism, and keeping America safe," said Senator Collins. "As a member of the Senate Armed Service Committee, I supported the provisions of this bill that strengthen our support for all those serving in the military, both at home and overseas. I was pleased that the Senate approved this important funding by a vote of 96-0 and applaud President Bush for promptly giving it his final approval."
Senator Collins successfully secured millions of dollars of shipbuilding funds as part of the Defense Appropriations Bill that will benefit Bath Iron Works (BIW).
"This allows Bath Iron Works and its workforce to maintain its critical involvement in the Navy's destroyer program," said Senator Collins. "These projects are a testament to the valuable skills and talent that BIW workers provide to our nation's national security."
The projects in the bill that benefit BIW are as follows:
The bill fully funds at a level of $3.5 million, three DDGs, two of which will be built by BIW.
$88.4 million for accelerated work in 2006 on the DD(X), the next generation destroyer. These funds represent the first installment of BIWs construction of its first DD(X). These will accelerate the start of the construction of the DD(X) in 2006, a full year earlier than the Administration's budget has proposed.
$50 million for DDG-51 modernization. Bath will be involved in this modernization project.
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