ICYMI: Senate Passes 2023 Defense Bill with King-Backed Provisions to Invest in Maine Shipbuilding, Strengthen National Security and Support Jobs

December 16, 2022
WASHINGTON, D.C.— U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and co-chair of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission (CSC), celebrated the Senate’s passage of the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), yearly legislation which has now passed 62 times on a bipartisan basis, and which focuses on strengthening American national security and improving the lives of servicemembers and their families.
The 2023 legislation authorizes 3 DDG-51 destroyers that Bath Iron Works can compete to build, bolsters America’s nuclear defenses, and supports other key defense technologies that protect the nation. Also included are significant pay raises for servicemembers and steps to improve mental healthcare for America’s armed forces.
“This year’s National Defense Authorization Act – named after my friend and colleague Senator Jim Inhofe – is a bipartisan bill that will address the pressing national security challenges facing our country and strengthen Maine’s role in contributing to our national defense,”said Senator King.“The bill authorizes one of the largest-ever multi-year procurement of DDG-51 destroyers, which Bath Iron Works can compete to build, bringing important stability to the Maine shipyard’s planning, and allowing them to scale up their production in the years to come. These ships – known as the workhorse of the Navy – are absolutely critical to our national security, and are an important economic driver for Maine communities.
“This year’s legislation provides the backbone of our national defense, including key provisions to ensure our nation can counter growing and rapidly changing threats. It also contains new authorizations to address Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, and supporting the brave Ukrainians fighting for their sovereignty. This bill improves our defensive and offensive hypersonic capabilities, bolsters key cyber defenses, and will help modernize how we assess the capabilities of our enemies and allies alike,”continued Senator King.“Most importantly, the legislation also makes significant investments in the essential core of our Armed Forces – our brave men and women in uniform. Along with a 4.6% pay raise to help servicemembers keep up with rising costs of living, the NDAA will study the suicide epidemic in our military so the Department is better equipped to address this urgent crisis. This bill will make our country safer, strengthen our economy, and reward the men and women who serve in our military – I’m grateful that we could get this bill through the Senate and onto President Biden’s desk.”
Senator King previouslyspokeon the Senate Floor in support of the National Defense Authorization Act, explaining the pressing need to modernize the nation’s nuclear arsenal, support Ukraine as it fights for freedom, and improve resources for America’s servicemembers with pay raises and mental health care.
Senator King successfully advocated for the inclusion of many provisions that will improve national security, support Maine jobs, and take care of servicemembers and veterans, including: