BATH, ME – U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Jack Reed (D-RI), Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), today visited Bath Iron Works (BIW) to meet with front line supervisors and tour the USS Michael Monsoor (DDG-1001), the second Zumwalt class destroyer built at BIW. At Senator King’s urging, Senator Reed requested the visit to Maine to see firsthand the highly skilled work performed by the employees at BIW to build and maintain the Navy fleet. The Senate Armed Services Committee has jurisdiction over authorizing funding for the national defense, which includes authorizing funding for billions of dollars for shipbuilding at BIW.

“The men and women of Bath Iron Works represent the best Maine has to offer,” said Senator King. “They’re dedicated, skilled and hardworking, which is why the Navy continues to turn to BIW for projects vital to our national security. Today’s visit with Senator Reed is especially important because I believe that one day of seeing is better than one hundred days of hearing; I’m grateful that Jack could join me today and see for himself why Bath built is best built.”

“It is great to be here with Senator King and the men and women of Bath Iron Works.  Senator King is an outstanding advocate for Maine and I know he takes tremendous pride in the many contributions Maine’s shipbuilders make to our national defense.  I’m proud to serve alongside him on the Armed Services Committee,” said Senator Reed. “We need to make smart, cost-effective investments in our national security.  Both Senator King and I are committed to working with our colleagues on a bipartisan basis to help keep America strong militarily and economically.”

Through his work on the Armed Services Committee, Senator King has worked closely with Senator Reed to advance the needs of the nation’s military, strengthen our national security, and support U.S. servicemembers and people working in defense-related industries.

Senator Jack Reed is the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. A West Point graduate and former Army Ranger, Reed also serves on the Appropriations Committee and is a member of both the Defense Subcommittee and the Military Construction-Veterans Affairs (Milcon-VA) Subcommittee. Also in attendance was Mike Wakefield, Military Legislative Aide to Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine). Senator Collins serves on the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee.

In the evening, Senator King will provide remarks at the Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce Awards Ceremony and Dinner at the Augusta Civic Center.