Legislation to Strengthen National Defense Passes Senate with Provisions Championed by Senator Collins

Bill authorizes new military construction in Maine, supports Bath Iron Works and Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, and includes several provisions authored or championed by Senator Collins.
WASHINGTON, D.C.– U.S. Senator Susan Collins announced that theFiscal Year(FY)2026 National Defense Authorization Act(NDAA), which authorizes $878 billion in total defense spending, passed the Senate by a vote of 77 to 20. The bill now heads to a conference committee to resolve differences between the Senate and House versions of the bill.
“Passage of the NDAA is key for setting the policy for our nation’s military priorities,”said Senator Collins.“This legislation would help to address the national security threats facing the United States, strengthen Maine’s shipbuilders and defense manufacturers, and ensure that the brave men and women in uniform have the support they need to defend our nation.”
Several provisions and amendments authored or co-authored by Senator Collins were included in the final bill that passed the Senate today:
The NDAA also includes several provisions Senator Collins strongly advocated for that would benefit Maine:
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