Please do not leave this page until complete. This can take a few moments.
U.S. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, reported Tuesday that the bill authorizing defense spending for 2019 was reported out of a conference committee with a number of provisions he said will benefit Maine.
The John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act, which establishes Department of Defense policies and authorizes military spending for FY 2019, was approved by the House 351-66 on May 24 and by the Senate 85-10 on June 18. The conference committee was tasked with reconciling any differences between the two versions of the approved legislation.
King served as a conferee for the legislation.
“At a time when we are facing a number of serious threats across the globe, the conference committee has produced a bipartisan bill that makes smart investments in our national defense and once again funds a number of priorities important to Maine including shipbuilding and infrastructure improvements at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard,” King said in a statement. “The continued inclusion of Maine-based projects reflects the importance of our state to the continued defense of the nation.”
King expressed disappointment the final bill did not keep a Senate provision that would have reimposed strict Commerce Department penalties on Chinese telecommunications company ZTE for violating U.S. sanctions against Iran and North Korea.
“But even with these concerns, the reconciled version takes a number of vital steps to ensure our national security, including prohibiting the federal government from doing business with ZTE, Huawei, and other Chinese telecommunications companies of concern,” he said. “There is no doubt that when it comes to ongoing threats to national security, we have more work to do — and at the end of the day, this bill will help our military better defend Americans from those who would seek to harm us.”
Here are the provisions identified by King that directly benefit Maine when the legislation is signed by President Trump:
Other aspects of the bill that King characterized as “victories” for Maine:
Repeal of long-term temporary duty policy: King said he supported a provision that repeals the Department of Defense’s policy limiting per diem reimbursements for government employees conducting long-term temporary duty travel. He said the policy, which was implemented in 2014, threatens the ability of public naval shipyards, like Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, to effectively and efficiently conduct Navy ship maintenance, modernization and repair.
Pay increase for service members: The bill includes a 2.6% pay increase, supported by King, for members of the military.
Strengthening cyber deterrence: The bill includes language that outlines a cyber deterrence policy, to include providing offensive cyber response options to address the full range of potential cyber-attacks carried out by our adversaries against the United States. King said he has strongly advocated for a national cyber deterrence policy at Senate Armed Service Committee hearings.
Developing an Arctic strategy: King said he supported a provision that requires the Secretary of Defense to submit an updated Arctic strategy to improve and enhance joint military operations in that increasingly important strategic region.
Building icebreakers: King supported a provision authorizing the procurement of up to five polar-class icebreakers, including polar-class heavy icebreakers and polar-class medium icebreakers. King said he has long advocated for greater investment in building more icebreakers to ensure a stronger U.S. strategic presence in the Arctic.
The Giving Guide helps nonprofits have the opportunity to showcase and differentiate their organizations so that businesses better understand how they can contribute to a nonprofit’s mission and work.
Learn MoreWork for ME is a workforce development tool to help Maine’s employers target Maine’s emerging workforce. Work for ME highlights each industry, its impact on Maine’s economy, the jobs available to entry-level workers, the training and education needed to get a career started.
Learn MoreFew people are adequately prepared for all the tasks involved in planning and providing care for aging family members. SeniorSmart provides an essential road map for navigating the process. This resource guide explores the myriad of care options and offers essential information on topics ranging from self-care to legal and financial preparedness.
Learn moreThe Giving Guide helps nonprofits have the opportunity to showcase and differentiate their organizations so that businesses better understand how they can contribute to a nonprofit’s mission and work.
Work for ME is a workforce development tool to help Maine’s employers target Maine’s emerging workforce. Work for ME highlights each industry, its impact on Maine’s economy, the jobs available to entry-level workers, the training and education needed to get a career started.
Few people are adequately prepared for all the tasks involved in planning and providing care for aging family members. SeniorSmart provides an essential road map for navigating the process. This resource guide explores the myriad of care options and offers essential information on topics ranging from self-care to legal and financial preparedness.
In order to use this feature, we need some information from you. You can also login or register for a free account.
By clicking submit you are agreeing to our cookie usage and Privacy Policy
Already have an account? Login
Already have an account? Login
Want to create an account? Register
In order to use this feature, we need some information from you. You can also login or register for a free account.
By clicking submit you are agreeing to our cookie usage and Privacy Policy
Already have an account? Login
Already have an account? Login
Want to create an account? Register
This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Our privacy policy
To ensure the best experience on our website, articles cannot be read without allowing cookies. Please allow cookies to continue reading. Our privacy policy
Comments