WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Senate has approved 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. The final vote was 96-0. The bill now moves to conference proceedings with the House of Representatives.
“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, a member of the Senate Armed Services committee. “In addition to being important for our nation’s security, the programs and projects included in the bill are evidence that Maine companies make valuable contributions to the military and our country’s defense.”
Senator Collins says she is pleased that the Senate bill ensures a continued and steady workload at BIW.
This bill places a high priority on shipbuilding by authorizing the simultaneous construction of two DD(X) ships in FY 2007 and 2008. This is in stark contrast to the House Defense Authorization bill, which recommends the procurement of only one DD(X) at a time.
Thus, the House bill would result in significant program delay and disruption and could negatively impact the planned workload at BIW.
The House bill also 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.
“Abandoning the DD(X) dual lead ship strategy would be a major blow to our industrial base and would be detrimental to our national security, which requires that a high priority be placed upon building up our naval fleet to counter existing and emerging threats,” said Senator Collins. “That is why I will now vigorously advocate for the Senate provisions during negotiations with the House.”
The Senate Defense Authorization bill also includes $25 million in funding, requested by Senator Collins, 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.
· $5 million to Hodgdon Yachts in East Boothbay, in a joint venture with Maine Marine Manufacturing and the University of Maine, for the Mark V replacement patrol boat that supports the missions of the Navy, Special Operations, and the U.S. Coast Guard.
- $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.
The Defense Authorization bill also includes several amendments either authored or cosponsored by Senator Collins, which include:
- An amendment authored by Senators Collins and Akaka that would strengthen whistleblower protections for federal employees. It would provide for protections for federal employees who disclose government waste, fraud, abuse, or threats to public safety.
- An amendment cosponsored by Senator Collins that is intended to address the faculty shortage at America’s nursing colleges. “The Troops to Nurse Teachers” program is a six-year pilot program aimed at encouraging nurses leaving the military to become nurse educators.