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Navy Secretary tells Pingree sequestration has resulted in shortfall for tenth ship

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree says the Navy has awarded Bath Iron Works contracts to build four Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers. Altogether, the contracts are worth over $2.8 billion. The contract also includes an option for a fifth ship, which, if exercised, would bring the total value of the contract to over $3.5 billion.

Pingree, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, talked to Navy Secretary Ray Mabus about the contracts this afternoon.

"Although four ships represent a lot of work for BIW, we need to keep fighting to get the remaining funding necessary for one more," Pingree said. "Secretary Mabus was clear to me that these ships are a backbone of the fleet and absolutely what we need to be secure in future conflict."

Pingree also said Mabus blamed sequestration for any uncertainty around the construction of a fifth ship.

"The Secretary was very clear that the money to build a total of ten DDG 51s, including five in Bath, was there. But because of sequestration Congress has left the Navy with a $304 million shortfall for that last ship," Pingree said. "Now it's up to us to find that money and so that fifth ship can be built at BIW."

Pingree voted against the legislation that created the sequestration cuts last year.

"BIW's reputation for quality and efficiency is unmatched and the Navy knows that," Pingree said. "I'm hopeful we can secure the funding for an additional ship to help maintain employment levels at the yard."

BIW is also currently under contract to build three Zumwalt-class destroyers, the first of which is scheduled to be delivered to the Navy late next year or early in 2015.