Local Defense Funding Acquired by U.S. Senate

KeepMECurrent.com - The Senate Armed Services Committee has approved the fiscal year 2009 Defense Authorization bill, which includes key provisions authored by U.S. Sen. Susan Collins that support the work being done at Bath Iron Works, the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, the University of Maine, Saco Defense, Pratt & Whitney and other Maine companies.
“I am particularly pleased that the committee agreed to my request to include $20.6 million for a new drydock facility at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery,” Collins said. “This drydock is essential for the shipyard’s future work on Virginia-class submarines.”

In addition, the Senate Armed Services Committee also recently authorized a 3.9 percent across-the-board pay increase for service members, which was slightly higher than the president’s request. The bill also includes provisions to improve mental health screening of and treatment for service members.

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