WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Armed Services and Intelligence Committees and Veterans Affairs Committee, hailed the bipartisan Senate passage of the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) – which will strengthen America’s national security, support our men and women in uniform, and boost Maine communities through the dozens of businesses that serve the military’s technological and manufacturing needs.

Today’s vote was on the final defense legislation after months of bicameral negotiations, and includes a number of provisions that Senator King backed, including: support for veterans, two Arleigh Burke-class destroyers that Bath Iron Works (BIW) can compete to build, provisions to address the security threats posed by artificial intelligence, and stronger measures to prevent illegal drugs from entering the country.  It is now headed to the House of Representatives, where swift bipartisan passage is expected.

“For over six decades, Congress has put aside partisan differences to improve America’s national security and support our servicemembers. I’m proud that we could continue the tradition this year to pass an annual defense bill 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. We have a responsibility to serve our men and women in uniform just as they serve us, and this bill lives up to that obligation with the largest pay raise in more than 20 years and assistance for our military’s spouses. The legislation also 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 steps to modernize our nuclear arsenal, fight the opioid epidemic, and deter 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 serve in our military.”

The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 includes King-backed provisions to:

• INVEST IN MAINE SHIPBUILDING AND INSTALLATIONS. The FY24 NDAA authorizes two DDG-51 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers and $780 million advance procurement of an additional DDG to be purchased next year that Bath Iron Works can compete to build.

This legislation also supports critical Maine National Guard facilities and authorizes $544 in funding for Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY) modernization efforts – including their Dry Dock extension that will allow PNSY to increase its capacity to maintain the Navy’s submarine fleet.

• FUND MAINE INNOVATION AND SMALL BUSINESSES. This legislation supports Maine-driven research and development in the Arctic training capacity, composites development and 3D printing, munitions, F135 engine upgrades, mass timber integration, and hypersonic technology. The legislation also includes support for APEX Accelerators, which help small businesses obtain and navigate Department of Defense contracts.

• SUPPORT AMERICA’S SERVICEMEMBERS AND MILITARY SPOUSES. The FY24 NDAA includes Senator King’s Military Spouse Employment Act which will help military spouses find remote work in the federal government while their spouses serve in the armed services. Recruiting and maintaining a high-caliber, all-volunteer force also continues to be a high priority. This legislation includes a 5.2 percent pay increase for military and civilian personnel, the highest pay raise in over 20 years for the military and over 40 years for civilians.

The months and years after separation from the military remain a challenge for our veterans. The FY24 NDAA adds the Department of Labor to the Department of Defense -Veterans Affairs Joint Executive Committee partnership that will ensure full collaboration and synchronization between these three critical agencies that assist transitioning servicemembers and veterans searching for fulfilling employment in civilian life.

• IMPROVE HOUSING ASSISTANCE FOR MAINE’S COAST GUARD. This legislation includes critical oversight on Department of Defense programs that support Coast Guard members, including how the Department funds housing allowances and how the Department supports change of duty station moves.

• DETER CHINESE AGGRESSION. It's no secret that the People's Republic of China has emerged as America's primary competitor, as the only nation with the intent and the capability to mount a sustained challenge to the United States' security and economic interests. The FY24 NDAA continues to focus on the long-term strategic competition with China by investing in contested logistics capabilities forward, pacific-based training and exercises, key regional partnerships, and other forward-based systems and installations needed to quickly blunt Chinese aggression if needed.

• MODERNIZE CRITICAL NUCLEAR DETERRENTS. As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, Senator King is a Congressional leader working to modernize the nation’s nuclear triad and address the threats posed by new hypersonic weapons. From the B-21 Raider to the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent to a tactical sea-launched capability, the bill continues to build capability and capacity. This year’s bill also includes significant investments in preventing proliferator states and terrorist groups from developing or acquiring Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD).

• ADDRESS EVOLVING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE CAPABILITIES. This legislation includes a Senator King-led provision to evaluate technology, including applications, tools, and models, to detect and watermark generative artificial intelligence. This provision would allow the DOD to better identify and detect deep fakes and false information created by bad actors employing AI technology.

• COMBAT ILLEGAL DRUG TRAFFICKING. The opioid crisis continues to hit close to home, killing two people in Maine every single day. This legislation supports plans to counter fentanyl trafficking and counter transnational organized crime.

• SUPPORT RECRUITING IN THE NORTHEAST: This legislation includes a Senator King-led provision encouraging the DOD to focus America’s recruiting efforts on remote geographic areas lacking military infrastructure and presence.

• TRAIN THE MAINE NATIONAL GUARD. This legislation provides our Maine National Guard funding from training and new infrastructure to operational deployments.

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