Annual Defense Bill Passes out of Committee with King-Backed Provisions to Strengthen National Security and Support Maine Economy

June 14, 2024
WASHINGTON, D.C.— U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), hailed the bipartisan passage of theFiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) out of committee after more than sixteen hours of deliberation. This legislation will strengthen America’s national security, support our men and women in uniform, and boost the economies of Maine communities through shipbuilding and the hundreds of businesses that serve the military’s technological and manufacturing needs.
Today’s passage represents the first step in bipartisan negotiations to pass a fiscal year budget for our armed forces and national defense interests. It includes a number of provisions that Senator King backed, including: support for veterans, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer for Bath Iron Works (BIW), an aggressive new military-wide approach to monitoring traumatic brain injuries (TBI), provisions to address the security threats posed by artificial intelligence, and stronger 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, equipment, and resources to carry out their missions. I’m proud that we could continue the tradition this year to pass an annual defense bill out of Committee 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. The legislation 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 a long-overdue traumatic brain injury monitoring program, fighting the opioid epidemic, and deterring 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 fight for our freedoms.”
TheNational Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025includes King-backed provisions to:
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