At least one of Maine’s major military contractors has not expressed serious concerns about political infighting in Washington causing delays to the passage of the nation’s current defense spending bill.
“We don’t see any immediate impact on manufacturing,” said David Hench, spokesperson for Bath Iron Works, a naval shipyard and the state’s fourth-largest employer.
A group of hardline Republican conservatives sided with Democrats Tuesday, voting down the defense appropriations bill.
The $826 billion annual defense bill is the latest casualty in an ongoing congressional battle to avoid a looming government shutdown, which will happen at the end of the month without a solution.
The defense bill is an annual appropriation that funds projects for military contractors nationwide. In Maine, the current bill includes, among other provisions:
$4.2 billion to construct two Arleigh-Burke destroyers in 2024 at Bath Iron Works, and $284 million in advance of two new ships for 2025.
$544.8 million for the fourth stage of Portsmouth Naval Shipyard’s new dry dock upgrade project.
Unspecified amount of funding for 83 new F-35 jets and 15 CH-53K helicopters. Pratt & Whitney makes engines for the jets, while Hunting Dearborn is involved in the construction of both the jets and the helicopters.
More than $7.4 billion to finish a vehicle maintenance shop for the Maine National Guard in Saco.
A 5.2% raise in pay for service members and civilian defense employees nationwide.
Current projects at Bath Iron Works, according to Hench, will not be impacted by the bill’s delays.
According to the shipyard’s written guidance for responding to lapses in appropriations funding, indicates projects may continue even when funding lapses, noting, “The expiration of an appropriation does not require the termination of contracts.”
Spokespersons for Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery and Pratt & Whitney in North Berwick did not respond to a request for comment.