WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), and Angus King (I-ME) today announced that the U.S. Navy has informed them that it has identified the funds needed to continue forward with repairs to the USS MIAMI as planned.  This announcement comes as the Navy is considering spending reductions to ship overhauls, maintenance and other programs as a result of sequestration.

The FY 2013 Defense Appropriations bill included $150 million specifically for repairs to the USS MIAMI, which was severely damaged during a fire in May 2012.  That bill was included in the Continuing Resolution that passed the Senate on March 20^thand was signed into law.   

"As the Navy undergoes the difficult task of implementing budget cuts under sequestration, I am pleased that Secretary Mabus plans to move fully forward with repairs to the USS MIAMI,” Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) said.  “As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I fought to include $150 million in the Defense Appropriations bill because the USS MIAMIis a significant investment in our national security, and it must return to our fleet as soon as possible. There is no workforce better suited for this task than the talented men and women at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery.”

“This is a welcome announcement from the Navy and represents a serious investment in our national security,” said Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chair of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness.  “The men and women serving at Portsmouth are the best at what they do and have been providing critical Navy support for almost 200 years. These repairs will allow Portsmouth to continue its long tradition of supporting our military and I look forward to the day that our Shipyard officially delivers USS MIAMI back to the fleet.”

"I applaud the Navy’s decision to complete the repairs on the USS MIAMI,” said Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.  “I've worked with fellow delegation members to ensure the Navy completes these important repairs, and I’m pleased the skilled workers at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard can now finish their work and return this submarine to the fleet—where it will provide a critical capability for our combatant commanders." 

“I could not be more pleased by the Navy’s announcement that it is moving forward with repairs of the USS MIAMI despite significant budgetary limitations,” said Senator Angus King (I-ME), a member of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower. “Recognizing the instrumental role the USS MIAMI plays in our submarine fleet, I joined with my colleagues to press for the passage of the Fiscal Year 2013 Defense Appropriations Bill which will help fund its repair – and I know the exceptional men and women of Portsmouth Naval Shipyard will work tirelessly to return the ship to service in first-rate condition as quickly as possible.”

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