WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement this morning:

“The appropriations bill approved by the House and Senate Appropriations Committee contains the necessary funding to move forward with the fifth DDG-51 in the multi-year procurement at Bath Iron Works. This is excellent news for the Navy, the taxpayers, and the shipyard. Not only will this funding help contribute to greater stability for BIW's workforce into the future, but it will also save taxpayer money and provide the Navy with another world-class ship to support our national security missions across the globe. I am proud to have worked with Senator Collins to secure this critical funding for Maine and applaud her leadership in moving it across the finish line.”

As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator King worked to secure language that provides statutory authority for a $100 million funding increase to help procure the fifth DDG-51 Arleigh Burke Class Destroyer. In June, the Navy awarded Bath Iron Works a $2.8 billion multi-year procurement contract to build four DDG-51s with the option for a fifth ship if the necessary funding could be secured by congressional appropriators under sequestration. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Collins worked to see that those funds were appropriated.

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