Press Releases

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (ME-01), member of the House Appropriations Committee, today welcomed the restoration of funding for a second DDG-51 Flight III destroyer that had been removed from the President’s Budget Request, highlighting the need for this funding to produce reliable ships for the Navy and to U.S. protect national security.

“Anyone who has been to Bath Iron Works knows that BIW workers build the best ships for our Navy. Consistent support for Arleigh Burke-class ships has contributed to substantial growth at BIW,” said Pingree. “As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I pushed to restore funding for the Arleigh Burke that was cut in the President’s budget proposal, which would have seriously impacted our highly-skilled shipbuilders. I’m relieved the House Defense appropriations bill released today includes funding for a second DDG-51 ship, thus protecting BIW’s workforce and ensuring a competitive Navy. My thanks to Chair Betty McCollum for her partnership in securing this important funding.”

Following the release of the Presidential Budget Request, which included a reduction from planned orders for DDG-51 Flight III Destroyers, Pingree and Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) welcomed Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02), Chair of the House Armed Services Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, to Bath Iron Works in June. 

Congresswoman Pingree is a member of the House Appropriations Committee which sets funding policy for the federal government, including for military shipbuilding.