Maine Sen. Susan Collins is pressing both civilian and military leadership to distribute future shipbuilding contracts to keep Bath Iron Works and its competitor in Mississippi busy.
“In the fiscal year omnibus bill Congress decided to authorize the DDG-51 multi-year," Collins said, at a budget hearing on Capitol Hill. That will spread the construction of new Arleigh Burke class destroyers over several years.
Collins said she and other members of the Senate Appropriations Committee are worried that the balance of work building destroyers and cruisers will be upset as the Navy seeks to increase its number of warships.
“Is the Navy, in fact, taking steps to insure that the DDG-51 multiyear will sustain both yards?" Collins asked Navy Secretary Richard Spencer.
"While we are partners in this with our suppliers, my fiduciary responsibility is to get the best value for the taxpayers," Spencer responded.
