Congresswoman Chellie Pingree says Portsmouth Naval Shipyard a critical “economic engine” in region
Video of Pingree’s statement can be seen here:
“The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is an economic success story in Maine,” Pingree said. “The yard is in the middle of adding approximately 160 new jobs this year—jobs like painters, sheet metal workers, electricians, welders and engineers. And the construction work that this bill will fund will be done by outside contractors, brining even more jobs to the area. The funding in this bill will help this economic engine of southern Maine remain competitive and create new, good paying jobs.”
Pingree, who worked with Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter in securing the funding, said the improvements to the structural shops at the yard will improve equipment layout and streamline process flow within the shipyard.
“This investment will help workers at the yard continue to do high quality work while increasing their efficiency and this funding is essential to their mission,” Pingree said.
The bill, the “Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2011,” also includes funding for veterans’ care. The passed the House tonight and the Senate is expected to take up their version of the bill later this year.
“Veterans’ service has earned them world-class health care and benefits and Congress has a moral obligation to inform them of these benefits—and to deliver,” Pingree said. “Maine is home to over 155 thousand veterans. These men and women have served without question, without politics, and without delay. We must make a promise to them—and to all of our veterans—that we will do the same.”