The amendment has not yet been made into law and still has to be cleared by the House floor, the Senate, and final enactment. According to Golden’s office

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Navy would be forced to scrap its plans to send shipbuilding jobs overseas under a provision of the National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA) sponsored by Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) and approved by the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) early this morning. Golden also secured funding for an additional destroyer to be built in Maine at Bath Iron Works.

Golden voted in favour of the Fiscal Year 2027 NDAA.

After a lengthy overnight markup, Golden, a member of HASC, cast his vote in favour of the Fiscal Year 2027 NDAA. The legislation authorises $1.15 trillion of spending for the Department of Defence and other national security priorities. The bill will now be considered by the House of Representatives.

“American military spending should support American jobs. The idea that we would build any part of our surface fleet on foreign soil with foreign labour is unconscionable," Golden said. ‘I am grateful to my colleagues on the committee for recognising this plan for what it is: a threat to American industry, jobs, and national security.”

 HASC approved two of Golden’s amendments to the NDAA. 

Before voting the bill out of committee, HASC approved two of Golden’s amendments to the NDAA. These were: An amendment to block the U.S. Navy’s offshoring plans. The amendment added language to make it clear that none of the funds authorised to be appropriated for the Navy in FY27 may be used to enter into a contract for the procurement of a battle force ship to be built in a foreign yard. Notably, in May, Rep. Golden questioned Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao about the Navy’s proposal to send shipbuilding jobs overseas, and pledged to stop it.

A new law to approve extra funding

A new law to approve extra funding to make sure that a DDG-51 destroyer is built at Bath Iron Works (BIW). The amendment increased funding for a second DDG-51 to be built at BIW by $500 million. This brings the total funding for the destroyer to $1 billion. It also allows for incremental funding to keep BIW's shipbuilders working.

 Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth was questioned in April

Meanwhile, in April, Rep. Golden questioned Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth. He asked why the Pentagon's budget proposal cuts procurement of this proven "workhorse" down to a single ship. The Secretary also failed to include multi-year procurement of destroyers. During the committee meeting, Golden successfully advocated for authorisation of a second ship to be built at BIW and for the multi-year procurement necessary to ensure the destroyers are built well into the future.

Golden's third amendment 

Golden's third amendment would have closed a loophole in military purchasing rules. This loophole is known as the Berry Amendment, and it requires all troop apparel to be manufactured in the United States from domestically sourced materials. This loophole enables troops to purchase additional footwear that does not comply with the Berry Amendment, thereby undermining troop readiness and American manufacturers.

The amendment

The amendment has not yet been made into law and still has to be cleared by the House floor, the Senate, and final enactment.  According to Golden’s office, the committee also approved a separate amendment to increase funding for a second DDG-51 destroyer to be built at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works in Maine. This amendment added $500 million, bringing the total funding for the destroyer to $1 billion.  

About: General Dynamics Bath Iron Works (BIW)

General Dynamics Bath Iron Works (BIW) is a major U.S. shipyard located in Bath, Maine, specialising in the design, construction, and lifecycle support of complex warships for the U.S. Navy. Founded in 1884, it is a key subsidiary of the defence corporation General Dynamics

About: General Dynamics

General Dynamics is a major American aerospace and defence corporation headquartered in Reston, Virginia. Ranked among the largest defence contractors globally, the company produces a wide array of military equipment—including nuclear submarines, main battle tanks, and combat vehicles—while also manufacturing civilian Gulfstream business jets and providing IT services to government agencies

Source: Jared Golden

#General Dynamics #BIW#Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth# Rep. Golden# U.S. Navy#US House panel # Golden Amendment# FY2027 Navy funds#NDAA#Congressman Jared Golden