King Asserts Role on Armed Services Committee to Support Maine Economy and Strengthen National Security

July 14, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C.— U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), worked with his committee colleagues this week to secure strong investments in Maine’s economy and America’s defense posture through theFiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This legislation will support servicemembers and their families and boost the Maine economy through support for the hundreds of businesses that serve the military’s technological and manufacturing needs leading to a more prosperous Maine and a stronger national security for the United States.
The legislation passed out of committee in a bipartisan 26-1 vote and represents the first step in bipartisan negotiations to pass a fiscal year budget for the armed forces and national defense interests. It includes several provisions that Senator King backed, including: support for veterans, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer for Bath Iron Works (BIW), a comprehensive new approach to monitoring brain health, aggressive policies to strengthen America’s cybersecurity, provisions to address the security threats posed by artificial intelligence, and measures to prevent illegal drugs from entering the country.
“For over six decades, Congress has taken a bipartisan approach to ensure that America’s military and defense forces have the training and equipment to carry out their missions, and protect our interests at home and abroad. This year, we are continuing that tradition in passing a defense bill out of Committee that will make our nation and state safer and stronger,”said Senator King.“As our global community faces some of its greatest challenges, the bill makes important investments in Maine people and businesses that are critical to the safety and security of our country.
“There are many important provisions in this legislation – including support for troops and their families, investment in Maine research, and needed oversight of the Department of Defense,”continued Senator King.“All told, this year’s defense bill will make our country safer, strengthen our economy, and support the men and women who fight for our freedoms.”
TheNational Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026includes King-backed provisions to:
###