Senate Passes Final 2024 Defense Bill with King-Backed Provisions to Strengthen National Security and Support Maine Jobs

December 14, 2023
WASHINGTON, D.C.— U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Armed Services and Intelligence Committees and Veterans Affairs Committee,hailed the bipartisan Senate passage of theFiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) – which will strengthen America’s national security, support our men and women in uniform, and boost Maine communities through the dozens of businesses that serve the military’s technological and manufacturing needs.
Today’s vote was on the final defense legislation after months of bicameral negotiations, and includes a number of provisions that Senator King backed, including: support for veterans, two Arleigh Burke-class destroyers that Bath Iron Works (BIW) can compete to build, provisions to address the security threats posed by artificial intelligence, and stronger measures to prevent illegal drugs from entering the country.  It is now headed to the House of Representatives, where swift bipartisan passage is expected.
“For over six decades, Congress has put aside partisan differences to improve America’s national security and support our servicemembers. I’m proud that we could continue the tradition this year to pass an annual defense bill that will make our nation—and our state—safer and stronger,”said Senator King.“As our global community faces some of its greatest challenges, the bill makes important investments in our military’s greatest asset – its people. We have a responsibility to serve our men and women in uniform just as they serve us, and this bill lives up to that obligation with the largest pay raise in more than 20 years and assistance for our military’s spouses. The legislation also supports good-paying jobs in Maine communities, particularly through its funding for shipbuilding at Bath Iron Works and Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. These funds will help the shipyards plan their futures, continue to build the highest-quality ships, and maintain the submarine fleet that our Navy needs to accomplish missions across the globe.
“There are many more important provisions in this legislation – including steps to modernize our nuclear arsenal, fight the opioid epidemic, and deter Chinese aggression,”continued Senator King.“All told, this year’s NDAA will make our country safer, strengthen our economy, and support the men and women who serve in our military.”
TheNational Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024includes King-backed provisions to:
This legislation also supports critical Maine National Guard facilities and authorizes $544 in funding for Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY) modernization efforts – including their Dry Dock extension that will allow PNSY to increase its capacity to maintain the Navy’s submarine fleet.
The months and years after separation from the military remain a challenge for our veterans. The FY24 NDAA adds the Department of Labor to the Department of Defense -Veterans Affairs Joint Executive Committee partnership that will ensure full collaboration and synchronization between these three critical agencies that assist transitioning servicemembers and veterans searching for fulfilling employment in civilian life.
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