Billions in defense funds earmarked for ME
A federal appropriations bill that includes billions for Maine is headed to the Senate after being approved by the House this week.
The House on Wednesday approved the Defense Appropriations bill, which includes $50 million for Maine Military Authority in Limestone for refurbishment of Humvees, according to a press release from Rep. Mike Michaud. This year's funding is a $20 million increase from what was originally budgeted and will help preserve 175 jobs, according to the Bangor Daily News. About 380 workers refurbish Humvees for the Army National Guard at the Limestone facility, and a $37 million decrease in federal funding this year prompted concerns over layoffs, the paper reported.
The bill also includes $4.5 billion for Bath Iron Works, including more than $1 billion for construction of the third DDG-1000 destroyer, a new class of destroyer currently being built at BIW, according to The Times Record. The bill also includes $1 billion for the littoral combat shop program, although the Navy has yet to decide whether BIW or Lockheed Martin Corp. will receive the contract. Also included is $2.2 billion for continued work on the DDG-51 destroyer, and another $144 million to modernize existing DDG-51 ships, according to the paper. The news of the BIW funding is not surprising, as it has not come under fire from Congress since it was outlined by Defense Secretary Robert Gates.
The Senate could vote on the bill as early as today.
Go to the article from the Bangor Daily News >>
Go to the article from The Times Record >>
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