WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today announced that the House-Senate conference committee’s bipartisan, bicameral agreement on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021 includes several funding and policy priorities advocated for by Senator King to support Maine employers and national defense. Senator King served as a member of the conference committee, which was tasked with reconciling the differences between the Senate version of the annual defense bill and the version advanced by the House of Representatives. The final conference report must now be approved by both chambers of Congress.

“This conference report is the product of an immense bipartisan, bicameral effort to ensure that our nation has the resources it needs to respond to the evolving threat landscape we face,” said Senator King. “Included in this bill are a number of provisions that are key to both Maine jobs and national security, including substantial funding for ships that Bath Iron Works can compete to build as the Navy continues its effort to increase the size of its fleet. The conference report looks to the future of our defense, from supporting new research and development projects to a number of provisions endorsed by the Cyberspace Solarium Commission to improve America’s cyber defense posture. On an immediate, tangible level: the conference report would increase wages for servicemembers and improve health care for our veterans, doing our part to take care of those who defend our nation. This bill is essential to the security of our nation, and critical for our military – it should be passed and signed into law without delay.”

Senator King successfully advocated for the inclusion of many provisions that will improve national security, support Maine jobs, and take care of servicemembers and veterans, including:

• FUNDING SHIPBUILDING PRIORITIES. The legislation authorizes $3.0 billion for the procurement of 2 DDG-51 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers in fiscal year 2021, which Bath Iron Works (BIW) can compete to build. It also authorizes $334.3 million to fund future year DDG-51 procurements. In addition, the legislation authorizes funds $78.2 million for the completion of the DDG-1000 Zumwalt-class destroyers, all of which are being built at BIW.
• FUNDING CONSTRUCTION AT MAINE FACILITIES.  The 2021 NDAA authorizes $160 million for construction of Dry Dock One at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard installation at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery. It also includes $26.1 million for perimeter security at the Naval Support Activity (NSA) Cutler in Cutler.
• ADVANCING CYBERSPACE SOLARIUM COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDATIONS. As the co-chair of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission (CSC), Senator King advocated for the inclusion of 26 provisions backed by the CSC to improve America’s cybersecurity posture. Included in these provisions is the creation of a National Cyber Director – a key CSC priority to boost federal leadership on cybersecurity. Additional provisions will strengthen America’s cyberdefense by empowering the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), examine some of the highest risk areas in cyberspace, and creating a plan to ensure continuity of the economy in the event of a major disruption.
• SUPPORTING RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT WORK. Senator King successfully pushed for the inclusion of additional funds for Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation programs, including funding for research and development on active protection systems, tungsten manufacturing, and additive manufacturing initiatives. Maine research institutions and companies will be eligible to compete for some of these projects.
• PROVIDING MILITARY PERSONNEL WITH HIGH-QUALITY, MAINE-MADE EQUIPMENT. The NDAA authorizes $800.6 million in funding to purchase 7 CH-53 helicopters, which include components produced at Hunting Dearborn in Fryeburg. The legislation also includes $201.2 million for advance procurement of these helicopters.
•  BOLSTER AMERICAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING. The NDAA includes a King-backed amendment to support the production and development of microelectronics in the United States. The amendment mirrors the King-cosponsored American Foundries Act of 2020, and will help support jobs at two Maine factories.
• RENAMING MILITARY BASES: The conference report establishes a commission to study and provide recommendations concerning the removal of names, symbols, displays, and monuments that honor the Confederate States of America on Department of Defense land and facilities worldwide. This report must be made within three years of the NDAA’s enactment.
• IMPROVING PANDEMIC RESPONSE: In order to bolster America’s response to any future pandemic disease, the conference report directs the Secretary of Defense to develop a strategy for pandemic preparedness in response.
• INCREASING MILITARY PAY. The legislation authorizes a 3 percent pay raise for members of the Armed Forces, and increases hazard pay by 10 percent.
• EXPANDING TELEHEALTH FOR VETERANS: This year’s NDAA would expand the ability for VA health professionals to provide healthcare via telemedicine. This effort builds on work done during the coronavirus pandemic to improve access to care for veterans, and would help older veterans and those who live in rural areas stay connected to healthcare providers.