BATH, Maine (AP) - Members of Maine’s congressional delegation say they’re relieved a defense spending bill has been stripped of a provision that would have taken $250 million in funding away from Bath Iron Works.
Delegation members lobbied against an amendment to the U.S. Department of Defense Appropriations Act of 2018 that would have taken the funding away from a destroyer program.
Republican Rep. Bruce Poliquin says the defeat of the amendment is “a big win” for shipbuilders at Bath Iron Works. Democratic Rep. Chellie Pingree says the amendment would’ve “wastefully diverted” funds from BIW.
The Senate Appropriations Committee has approved the defense appropriations bill. It’s awaiting a vote from the full Senate. Republican Sen. Susan Collins says the funding bill “affirms the strategic importance of our Navy and shipbuilding programs.”
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