Congressman Jared Golden Secures Funding for Destroyers, 'Made in USA' Military Footwear Provision in House's NDAA and DoD Appropriations Act

Strategic Insights -

Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) successfully secured several key provisions in the House's Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and Department of Defense (DoD) Appropriations Act, steering billions of federal dollars to support Maine manufacturing. Golden's amendments included funding for two DDG-51 destroyers, typically built by Bath Iron Works (BIW), and a requirement that military footwear be sourced from domestic producers, such as the New Balance factory in Skowhegan. These provisions were added following weeks of advocacy by Golden and are a critical step in supporting Maine's shipbuilding industry and ensuring that American servicemembers have access to high-quality, domestically manufactured combat footwear.

Key Takeaways:

  • Congressman Jared Golden secured funding for two DDG-51 destroyers, which would be built by Bath Iron Works (BIW), a major shipbuilding facility in Maine.
  • The NDAA also includes Golden's bipartisan Better Outfitting Our Troops (BOOTs) Act, which would require the military's combat footwear to be manufactured in the U.S. with entirely domestic materials.
  • According to a report commissioned by DoD Logistics Agency, America's current clothing and textile supply chain would be unable to meet demand in the event of a major conflict, highlighting the need for increased domestic production.
  • Golden's bill is backed by numerous textile manufacturers and trade organizations, including New Balance, which employs more than 600 workers across Maine.
  • The NDAA also includes a 3.8% pay raise for all service members, $1 billion for the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative, $600 million for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, and $13 billion in shipbuilding funding.
  • Apex Accelerators, a program designed to counsel businesses through the process of winning government contracts, would receive $70 million in funding under the bills, with over 760 Maine businesses receiving assistance in FY24, winning 2,291 contract awards worth more than $2.5 billion.

Statistics:

  • $13 billion: Shipbuilding funding in the NDAA.
  • $70 million: Funding for Apex Accelerators under the bills.
  • 760: Number of Maine businesses that received assistance from Maine APEX in FY24.
  • 2,291: Number of contract awards worth more than $2.5 billion received by Maine businesses in FY24.
  • 3.8%: Pay raise for all service members included in the NDAA.
  • $1 billion: Funding for the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative.
  • $600 million: Funding for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative.

Sources:

  • Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02)
  • House Armed Services Committee (HASC)
  • DoD Logistics Agency
  • New Balance
  • International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Union
  • General Dynamics Bath Iron Works
  • United States House of Representatives
  • United States Senate