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WATCH: Pingree Slams Proposed Republican Cuts to VA and Shipyard Resilience During Appropriations Bill Markup

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (1st District of Maine)

Today, during the House Appropriations Committee’s markup of the Fiscal Year 2026 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs bill, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree blasted Republicans’ proposed funding cuts, speaking out against glaring issues in the bill, including giving DOGE unfettered access to the VA and ignoring critical resilience efforts for Maine’s public shipyards. A summary of the bill is available here. 
Click here to watch Pingree’s opening remarks; Watch the full markup here.

Pingree’s full remarks are copied below.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. 

I am extremely disappointed to see the damage to the vital funding for the MilCon-VA bill that is done in this bill before us today.

Just to mention a few things. You’ve heard people talking about the 80,000 proposed staffing cuts [at the VA], which is absolutely a way to move forward to privatizing our veterans’ medical care. This cuts veterans’ and families’ access to reproductive health care and has many more problems that we’ll have a chance to address in our amendments that will be coming soon.

But I want to talk about a couple of specific impacts that we will see in Maine. The first one is called Installation Resilience funding—a $30 million cut. Now it’s kind of a wonky term, but it will mean a lot to our state.

For those of you who don’t know, I am blessed to have the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in my district. Luckily, there’s no one in here from New Hampshire, because sometimes they think it’s a New Hampshire shipyard. But it’s very clearly in Maine, even if it’s called Portsmouth. It is in Kittery, Maine, and it is a vital military facility where we overhaul, repair, and modernize our U.S. Navy’s nuclear-powered subs—specifically, the Los Angeles and Virginia class.

This shipyard, for you history buffs, was established in 1800, and the first ship they built was a 74 gun warship called the USS Washington in 1814. It was a vital shipyard during World War II, where we constructed 75 submarines and had up to 25,000 people there working every day.

Now, I’m very grateful to this committee for consistently investing in upgrades and improvements in the drydock and modernization of facilities there. But you should know that when you build on the coast—any of your coast, my coast, the West coast—it is not stable. And if you were in Maine in 2024, just a year ago in November, we had two severe storms that wiped out about 50% of our working waterfronts. And even this year, there has been some of the greatest sea level surges in the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard recorded in all time.

So, what happens then? It risks flooding of our nuclear submarines. You can imagine how expensive and delicate this operation is.

This year, they had to use sheets of plywood to keep the dry docks from flooding. The millions and millions of dollars you have invested are now being kept safe with some sheets of plywood. Why would we spend millions of dollars in the SIOP (Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Project) to modernize these facilities, if we’re not going to spend a measly $30 million for resilience funding?

It just doesn’t make any sense. You know why? Because resilience is one of those prohibited words. Perhaps it’s woke. Perhaps it means climate change. So, for the sake of some prohibited words and things that people think don’t actually matter, we are not going to protect our essential investment. Now, as you can imagine, I could go on and on, but I do want to mention one more thing.

The staffing cuts that are being proposed, and have already happened, whether it’s through the DOGE or the deferred resignation—by the way, that deferred resignation that Elon Musk thought up means that you let people out of their jobs, say, “Go ahead, go home, don’t go to work,” but we’ll keep paying you till September—and we can’t fill those vital positions.

So, all those people who thought, huh, maybe I should take the buyout because I might get fired are sitting home wishing they were at work, getting paid. And we are spending the taxpayers’ dollars for people to do nothing. I am lucky to represent a VA clinic. I also have Togus, a medical facility in my district. And I want you to know the number one call that we get from veterans who call in for constituent service—and I know you all do a lot of veterans’ services in your offices, too—is the wait times for VA appointments. It used to be about 17 days, which is a long time to wait, but most recently we heard from a vet who was recently separated and waited 63 days to get to that appointment. You tell me it’s not going to get worse if we layoff 80,000 more people.

The need is there. These cuts are shameful. The damage we’re doing in this bill will be shameful. I’m sorry. I can’t support it. And I yield back my time.

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Congressman Raul Ruiz Defends the Antiquities Act and California’s Public Lands from Political Attack

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raul Ruiz (36th District of California)

Washington, D.C. – The Antiquities Act of 1906, signed into law by President Theodore Roosevelt, was designed to protect areas of cultural, historical, and scientific significance. Its purpose is to preserve these vital resources for the public and for future generations.

The Trump Administration’s efforts to undermine this law will set a dangerous precedent. Rolling back protections not only disregards the intent of the Antiquities Act, it puts at risk the very lands and resources this law was meant to safeguard.

This action would harm veterans, tribal communities, working families, and endangered species. It strips away protections that uphold our responsibility to leave the earth better than we found it, for the benefit of generations to come.

This is yet another attack in a long line of actions targeting California. I will not stand by while our public lands, communities, and future are under threat. I will keep fighting to protect what belongs to all of us.

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Rep. Moore Issues Statement on EPA Move to Eliminate Clean Power Plan 2.0

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Riley Moore (WV-02)

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Riley M. Moore issued the following statement after the EPA announced plans to scrap the Biden-era Clean Power Plan 2.0 earlier today:

“The Biden-Harris war on affordable, reliable American energy ends today. By reversing these job-killing regulations, President Trump and Administrator Zeldin make it clear: the Green New Scam is over and American energy dominance is back. These EPA regulations would have shuttered every coal-fired power plant in America, bankrupted many coal mines, laid off thousands of coal miners, and driven up the cost of electricity for every American.

“In a time when our nation’s adversaries are burning more coal than ever before, President Trump knows the only way to bring back jobs from overseas and fuel the Golden Age of America is by unleashing American energy, and today’s announcement once again confirms it’ll be coal-fired!”

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Reps. Cleaver, Kim Reintroduce BUDS Resolution to Bolster Bipartisan Collaboration in Congress

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II (5th District Missouri)

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) and Young Kim (R-CA), along with Representatives Scott Peters (D-CA), William Timmons (R-SC), Kevin Mullin (D-CA), and Mike Carey (R-OH), reintroduced the Building Unity through Dual Sponsors (BUDS) Resolution to bolster bipartisan collaboration in Congress. While current rules of the House of Representatives only allow for one lawmaker to serve as a sponsor of legislation, the BUDS Resolution would formally change the rules of the House of Representatives to authorize two Members of the chamber to serve as joint sponsors of a bill, resolution, or joint resolution if they are from opposing political parties.

“In these deeply polarizing times, it is important that lawmakers help bridge the divides in our nation by focusing on bipartisan solutions that will benefit hardworking families in every community across the country,” said Congressman Cleaver. “As a member of the former Modernization Committee, I’ve seen firsthand that bipartisanship is still possible if we foster the environment that enables it to grow. That’s why I’m proud to join my friend Rep. Kim in reintroducing the BUDS Resolution to incentivize more cross-party collaboration in the House of Representatives.”

“Bipartisanship isn’t a bad word. In fact, it’s more important than ever to find common ground to improve the lives of the American people and move this country forward. That’s why I’m proud of my record and to be ranked the most effective federal lawmaker from the state of California,” said Congresswoman Kim. “I hope the BUDS Act can encourage more collaboration in Congress that will advance more impactful policy solutions.”

“The BUDS Act will encourage members to reach across the aisle and find bipartisan solutions to the toughest challenges facing Americans,” said Fix Congress Caucus Co-Chair, Rep. Scott Peters. “We know that great ideas often come from collaboration, and by simply allowing dual sponsorship, Congress will generate a lot more of those ideas and modernize an outdated system. At a time of hyper-partisanship and record low congressional approvals, we should be doing everything we can to boost bipartisanship and Americans’ trust in the legislature.”  

“In today’s hyper-partisan environment, the BUDS Act represents a refreshing and necessary modernization of how Congress operates. By empowering lawmakers from both sides of the aisle to serve as joint sponsors, we are structurally reinforcing our commitment to collaboration—something the American people overwhelmingly support. As a co-lead on this resolution, I am proud to stand alongside colleagues to send a clear message: delivering results for our constituents means working together, not working apart,” said Rep. Timmons.

“We need to rebuild a politics of the common good, where actual bipartisan progress is possible to meet our most serious challenges.” said Rep. Mullin. “That’s exactly what the BUDS Resolution is about—modernizing our Congressional rules so we can value cooperation over conflict. The American people are tired of dysfunction. They want to see their representatives working together to solve real problems. The BUDS Resolution is a practical step toward that goal, and I’m proud to support it.”

“Delivering for my constituents is my biggest priority in Congress, and that often stems from bipartisan cooperation. For that reason, I re-launched and serve as Co-Chair of the Civility and Respect Caucus in the House,” Rep. Carey said. “This legislation will make it easier to identify bipartisan measures and build support for their passage. That means real results for our constituents, and I am proud to support it.”

“There is much more bipartisan collaboration in Congress than Americans see on the news, but it flies under the radar partly because there is no way for members to share equal credit for working together. This resolution from Rep. Cleaver (D-MO) and Rep. Kim (R-CA) fixes that by amending House rules to allow bills to have two sponsors, provided that each is from a different political party. With this change, it will be much clearer to constituents when their representatives put divisive politics aside to achieve bipartisan legislative wins. Bipartisan co-sponsorship was a key recommendation from the House Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress and this resolution will make it a reality,” saidMichele Stockwell, President of Bipartisan Policy Center Action

“We commend Representative Cleaver for recognizing the need for legislation that fosters greater bipartisanship in Congress. At a time when public trust in Congress is at historic lows, the Joint Sponsorship legislation charts a path toward consensus by encouraging cross-party collaboration — helping ensure that Congress fulfills its Article I responsibilities on behalf of the American people,” said Jamie Neikrie, Legislative Director of Issue One

“This is an obvious solution to a needless hurdle blocking genuine bipartisanship in Congress,” said Demand Progress Executive Director Sean Vitka. “This relatively simple, commonsense rule change would go a long way towards helping lawmakers showcase needed policy solutions with broad political support from the get-go. We thank Reps. Cleaver and Kim for introducing this resolution and modeling the kind of bipartisanship that the American people deserve.”

“Tackling our nation’s pressing fiscal and governance challenges demands both bipartisan cooperation on fact-finding oversight and legislation. I commend Representatives Cleaver and Kim for working across the aisle and sponsoring this important resolution,” said Dan Lips, Senior Fellow of the Foundation for American Innovation

“Congress runs on collaboration and the BUDS resolution facilitates collaboration among members of all political stripes,” said Daniel Schuman, Executive Director of the American Governance Institute.

The legislation is also cosponsored by Representatives Kathy Castor (D-FL), James Moylan (R-GU), Maxwell Frost (D-FL), Mike Lawler (R-NY), Mike Quigley (D-IL), and Don Bacon (R-NE). 

The BUDS Resolution is endorsed by the American Governance Institute, Bipartisan Policy Center Action, Demand Progress, Foundation for American Innovation, and Issue One.

Official text of the BUDS Resolution is available here.

 

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee’s Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.

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Bonamici Announces Town Hall Meetings in June

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Suzanne Bonamici (1st District Oregon)

WASHINGTON, DC [6/11/25] – Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) announced the dates for two town hall meetings in the First Congressional District, which includes large portions of Washington and Multnomah counties and all of Clatsop, Tillamook, and Columbia counties.

Bonamici will answer questions from constituents and provide an update about her work in Congress. The town hall meetings will be in Hillsboro and Seaside.

“My work is informed by the many conversations I have with Oregonians,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. “Everyone in NW Oregon is welcome to attend my town hall meetings this June. I look forward to talking about issues of concern and discussing what I am doing to represent them through my work at home in Oregon and in Washington, DC.” 

Members of Bonamici’s staff will be at the town hall meetings to assist anyone who is experiencing problems with federal agencies including the VA, Social Security Administration,  and the IRS.

Doors to the town hall meetings will open an hour before each event. Guests are asked not to bring large bags or backpacks.

Washington County Town Hall Meeting

Tuesday, June 17 – 6 p.m.
Raymond Arthur Brown Middle School – Gymnasium 
1505 SE Cornelius Pass Rd, Hillsboro, OR 97123

Clatsop County Town Hall Meeting

Friday, June 20 – 2 p.m.
Seaside High School – Gymnasium
2600 Spruce Dr Ste 200, Seaside, OR 97138

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Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici, Salinas, Dexter, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Repeal Gun Industry’s Legal Liability Shield

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Suzanne Bonamici (1st District Oregon)

Legislation would give victims of gun violence legal avenues to hold manufacturers accountable for negligence in court

Washington D.C.—U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, along with U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, Andrea Salinas and Maxine Dexter, said today they have joined colleagues in introducing legislation that would ensure victims of gun violence have their day in court and that negligent gun companies and gun sellers are not shielded from liability when they disregard public safety.

The Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act—co-sponsored by the Oregon lawmakers—would repeal a 2005 federal law that gives gun manufacturers a unique and unjustifiable legal liability shield that protects them from lawsuits. 

“It is absolutely unacceptable that this industry is absolutely immune from any accountability,” Wyden said. “Other industries are subject to scrutiny for the safety and use of their products, and I believe Congress should enact common-sense gun safety regulations like the Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act.”

“As we continue to face a nationwide gun violence crisis, we must ensure that gun companies and gun sellers are held accountable when their negligence costs lives,” Merkley said. “For the sake of all those who have lost loved ones to this tragic epidemic, we must take our pain and grief and turn it into real action, with the Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act and other common-sense gun safety reforms.”

“Gun violence is a leading cause of death in the country, yet unscrupulous gun companies and gun sellers continue to evade accountability because of a legal shield passed two decades ago. I am grateful to join my colleagues in this long-overdue effort to overturn this misguided law and allow gun violence victims to seek justice,” Bonamici said.

“Current laws give negligent gun makers unprecedented special treatment that shields them from accountability for malpractice, leaving victims of gun violence without recourse in the courts. The Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act is a way for Congress to stand up for victims of gun violence through our judicial system,” Salinas said.

“As a mother, I’ll never forget the terror of not being able to reach my daughter while she was in lockdown for over 12 hours during a mass shooting at the University of Virginia. As a physician, I’ve held the hands of patients and families devastated by gun violence. And as someone who has volunteered with Moms Demand Action and served on gun violence prevention task forces, I know this crisis demands urgent action. No other industry gets a free pass when their negligence leads to death. Repealing PLCAA is a necessary step to give survivors and families their day in court and to finally hold the gun industry accountable—just like every other industry. I’m proud to support the Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act,” said Dexter.

When Congress in 2005 passed the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) giving the gun industry legal liability, its supporters argued it was necessary to protect the gun industry from frivolous lawsuits, and that victims of gun violence would not be shut out of the courts. In reality, numerous cases around the nation have been dismissed based on this law, even when the gun dealers and manufacturers acted in a fashion that would qualify as negligent if it involved any other product. Victims in these cases were denied the right to even discover or introduce evidence. This Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act allows civil cases to go forward against irresponsible bad actors.

 In 2005, the National Rifle Association identified PLCAA as its “number one” legislative priority, and celebrated its passage by calling it the “most significant piece of pro-gun legislation in twenty years.” Letting courts hear these cases would provide justice to victims and their families, while creating incentives for responsible business practices that would reduce injuries and deaths. Effectively, the gun industry would once again be subject to the same laws as every other industry, just as it was prior to 2005.

The legislation is endorsed by Brady, GIFFORDS Law Center, Everytown for Gun Safety, March for Our Lives, Guns Down America, Newtown Action Alliance, and Sandy Hook Promise Action Fund.

The legislation was led in the Senate by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Adam Schiff, D-Calif., and Chris Murphy, D-Conn. In addition to Wyden and Merkley, the legislation is also co-sponsored by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. and U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., Cory Booker, D-N.J., Chris Coons, D-Del., Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., Dick Durbin, D-Ill., John Fetterman, D-Pa., Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., Mazie K. Hirono, D-Hawaii, Tim Kaine, D-Va., Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., Patty Murray, D-Wash., Alex Padilla, D-Calif., Jack Reed, D-R.I., Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Peter Welch, D-Conn., and Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I.

The legislation was led in the House by U.S. Representatives Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., Jason Crow, D-Colo., Dwight Evans, D-Pa., and Mike Thompson, D-Calif. In addition to Bonamici, Salinas and Dexter, the legislation is also cosponsored by U.S. Representatives Gabe Amo, D-R.I., Jake Auchincloss, D-Mass., Wesley Bell, D-Mo., Don Beyer, D-Va., Shontel Brown, D-Ohio, Julia Brownley, D-Calif., Salud Carbajal, D-Calif., Sean Casten, D-Ill., Judy Chu, D-Calif., Emanuel Cleaver, D-Mo., Danny Davis, D-Ill., Madeleine Dean, D-Pa., Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., Chris Deluzio, D-Pa., Mark DeSaulnier, D-Calif., Lizzie Fletcher, D-Texas, Maxwell Frost, D-Fla., John Garamendi, D-Calif., Daniel Goldman, D-N.Y., Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif., Sara Jacobs, D-Calif., Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., Hank Johnson, D-Ga., Robin Kelly, D-Ill., Timothy Kennedy, D-N.Y., Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., Stephen Lynch, D-Mass., Seth Magaziner, D-R.I., Betty McCollum, D-Minn., LaMonica McIver, D-N.J., Joe Morelle, D-N.Y., Kelly Morrison, D-Minn., Seth Moulton, D-Mass., Joe Neguse, D-Colo., Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., Jimmy Panetta, D-Calif., Scott Peters, D-Calif., Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, Mike Quigley, D-Ill., Jamie Raskin, D-Md., Mary Gay Scanlon, D-Pa., Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., Brad Schneider, D-Ill., David Scott, D-Ga., Lateefah Simon, D-Calif., Dina Titus, D-Nev., Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., and Jill Tokuda, D-Hawaii.

The full text of the bill is here.

A web version of the release is here.

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Bonamici Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Improve Access to Support Services for College Students with Disabilities

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Suzanne Bonamici (1st District Oregon)

WASHINGTON, DC [6/11/25] – Today Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Joe Courtney (D-CT), and Kim Schrier, M.D. (D-WA) introduced bipartisan legislation to streamline the transition from high school to college for students with disabilities and improve access to support services.  

The Respond, Innovate, Support, and Empower (RISE) Act allows college students to use previous documentation as proof of disability when seeking accommodations in their courses, making it simpler and more affordable to access necessary accommodations. Currently, students often must obtain expensive and redundant evaluations before institutions of higher education provide special education services.

“Reducing barriers to support services will help students with disabilities access the accommodations they need to succeed on campus,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, Senior Member of the Education and the Workforce Committee’s Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development. “The RISE Act will remove burdensome and costly requirements that force students to undergo further testing when they already have a documented disability. I’m pleased to join my colleagues in leading this commonsense legislation to make our higher education system more inclusive of students with disabilities.”

“The transition from high school to higher education is already stressful enough for students with learning disabilities, without requiring them to waste time and money getting documentation proving their already documented, lifelong learning disability,” said Congressman Joe Courtney. “The RISE Act is an important step to removing barriers for these students by allowing them to continue to use previous documentation of a disability when they go to college. With the changes made by this legislation, students will be able to immediately receive the special education or accommodations that they need to overcome their learning disability so that they are able to hit the ground running when classes begin.”

“Every student deserves a fair shot at success,” said Congresswoman Erin Houchin. “The RISE Act removes unnecessary red tape so students can access the accommodations they need to succeed. As a mom of a child with a learning disability, I understand how critical these resources are. This bill empowers parents and students, levels the playing field, and strengthens opportunity in higher education.”

“I’m proud to help introduce the bipartisan RISE Act with my colleagues to ease paperwork burdens on college students,” said Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. “Going to college can be a stressful time, especially for students with disabilities. This legislation will allow high school diagnoses and treatment plans to transfer to the college level, decreasing unnecessary paperwork and ensuring a seamless transition to college. There should be no gap in support for students, so they have every opportunity to succeed.”

“Our recent survey found that the process for disclosing a disability in college was not easy for students with learning disabilities. Many students shared that they felt like they were a burden in their classes when they asked for the support they needed to succeed. It’s well-past time to address the ableist mindset and arbitrary rules that keep students with disabilities from participating fully in higher education settings,” said Dr. Jacqueline Rodriguez, CEO of the National Center for Learning Disabilities. “The RISE Act is such an important legislative solution to removing barriers to accessing accommodations, and we commend Congresswoman Bonamici and other Congressional leaders for their leadership.”

Qualifying documentation in the RISE Act includes 504 plans, individualized education programs (IEP), and accommodation plans from another higher education institution—potentially saving students and their families thousands of dollars. 

The legislation also provides an additional $10 million in funding for the National Center for Information and Technical Support for Postsecondary Students with Disabilities, a technical assistance center that helps students and families understand how to access accommodations, and their rights and responsibilities in higher education. The Center also assists colleges to adopt best practices for supporting students with disabilities.  

The RISE Act requires colleges to inform students, families, and faculty about available accommodations under the legislation, and improve reporting on academic outcomes for students with disabilities.

Representatives Erin Houchin (R-IN) and Mike Lawler (R-NY) are original co-sponsors of the legislation.

The RISE Act is supported by: the National Center for Learning Disabilities, the Advocacy Institute, AHEAD, All4Ed, American Federation of Teachers, American Psychological Association, Autism Society of America, Autism Speaks, Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, CAST, Center for Learner Equity, Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities Education Taskforce, Council for Exceptional Children, Council of Administrators for Special Education (CASE), Disability Rights Oregon, the Education Trust, Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP), Learning Disabilities Association of America, National Alliance on Mental Illness, National Association of School Psychologists, National Down Syndrome Congress, National Down Syndrome Society, National PLACE, Public Advocacy for Kids, Disability Belongs, SchoolHouse Connection, Show and Tell, SPAN Parent Advocacy Network, The Arc of the United States, and the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA). 

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ICYMI: Golden grills Navy Secretary over potential lapse in destroyer procurement that could cost jobs at BIW

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02)

Budget without DDG destroyers in FY26 would undermine shipbuilding capacity, national security, Golden says

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today questioned the Secretary of the Navy and Chief of Naval Operations on the lack of procurement funding for DDG-51 destroyers in their FY26 budget request. These ships are built at Bath Iron Works, and a lack of procurement would harm domestic shipbuilding capacity and national defense. 

Golden addressed the top Navy officials during a full hearing of the House Armed Services Committee.

“What we are asking for is simply consistency,” Golden said while questioning Secretary of the Navy John Phelan. “It’s just as important as how big the Navy you want to have, and how quickly you want to get there. You’re not going to maintain the best shipbuilders in the world if they don’t think it’s a consistent career. And you need their skills and assets. I would ask for you to give that some deep thought.” 

DDG-51 destroyers, known as the “backbone of the Navy’s surface fleet,” are highly versatile warships capable of both anti-air defense and striking targets like submarines, land-based threats, and other warships. Two shipyards in the United States produce DDG-51s: Bath Iron Works in Maine, and Ingalls Shipbuilding in Mississippi.

During the hearing, Acting Chief of Naval Operations James Kilby indicated that DDG class destroyers are a critical element to the Navy’s fleet. But the Trump Administration has released limited details about its upcoming FY2026 budget request, and current records show no plans to fund new DDG procurement in the upcoming year. 

In addition to Phelan and Kilby, Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps General Eric M. Smith also testified on Wednesday. Golden’s full questioning can be watched here. A partial transcription is provided below:

+++

CONGRESSMAN JARED GOLDEN (ME-02), HOUSE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE: The navy’s shipbuilding plan envisions 23 [DDG] Flight III ships. You currently have one in the fleet. Correct? 

 

ADMIRAL JAMES W. KILBY, ACTING CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS: Well, yes, sir. One is about ready to deliver. 

 

GOLDEN: Thank you. Mr. Secretary, the pending reconciliation bill includes two DDG Flight IIIs. Congressional intent was pretty clear that these would result in a three-ship cadence in FY26 and FY27. I’m now hearing behind the scenes that the plan that we don’t have yet — the complete plan from you — is going to goose-egg the DDG program in your request for FY26. So I’ve been on the committee for six years and I’ve heard from the Navy consistently a desire that the two DDG yards [each] achieve a 1.5-ship per-year rate of production. But here you’re signaling demand that would not support that rate of production. So, do you envision paying these yards to build ships — well, I’m sorry I’ll rephrase that — to not build ships? Or do you expect these yards to achieve a 1.5-ship production rate only to then turn around and lay shipbuilders off? 

 

THE HON. JOHN C. PHELAN, SECRETARY OF THE NAVY: Thank you for the question, Congressman. The president and I are committed to national defense and are committed to shipbuilding. As it relates to the budget, you know, we are working very closely with the OSD and the OMB on this as we speak, basically daily. And so we have a good idea of what we need and don’t need, and I don’t want to get in front of the president on that. He’ll be coming out with a budget soon. But I think shipbuilding will fare quite well in that budget. 

 

GOLDEN: Shipbuilding, yes, but I’m talking about destroyers. 

 

PHELAN:Yeah, I can’t go into specifics with you right now Congressman, but I understand the question. I think that we are at the end of the line on the current destroyers, on the DDG (X) as I’ve said before, we’re looking at the whole force and trying to understand what the whole force posture should be, in terms of what we’re learning and what’s going on, and how it should be structured, in effect. And destroyers are an important component of that. 

 

GOLDEN:Yes. You know, across the country we have skilled shipbuilders, but they are aging. And every yard is trying to bring in new shipbuilders, to train them up, to have the skills that they need to build the best, most quality, most lethal Navy that this country needs. On this committee, we have found through studies, which we partnered with the Navy to do, that it takes on average seven years to develop a high-asset, fully skilled Navy shipbuilder. So this rate, this signal, the consistency of the signaled demand from the Navy, and then to actually deliver on acquiring at that rate, is key to not only developing that workforce — taking seven years to get them there — but maintaining them. You cannot build a future DDG (X) without shipbuilders. 

 

PHELAN:I agree with you and I have more ships than our shipyards can handle for the next 10 years. Whether it’s a destroyer, whether it’s a tanker, whether it’s an oiler, whether it is a submarine. So I am not worried about the demand signal we have. It is getting those workers and getting them trained. It is there, and I think it is incenting the private sector to help us as well. So this is a, as I’ve said, It’s really going to be a whole of government approach. I think the demand signal, you know, as Congressman Courtney mentioned, which we recently did …

 

GOLDEN:I hear you. What I’m asking to is a consistent concern that has been raised that these two yards [Ingalls and BIW] get to a 1.5-ship per year production rate, and you’re not actually then demanding that rate — which will inevitably lead to ups and downs, to bathtubs in the workforce, where you are hiring people, training people, and then laying people off. What we are asking for is simply consistency. It’s just as important as how big the Navy you want to have, and how quickly you want to get there. You’re not going to maintain the best shipbuilders in the world if they don’t think it’s a consistent career. And you need their skills and assets. I would ask for you to give that some deep thought. 

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Smith: Trump is Halting Biden’s Red Tape Factory

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE)

Washington, DC — Today Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) released the following statement after Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin announced proposal of a rule withdrawing from the Biden administration’s Clean Power Plan 2.0.

“The Biden power plant rules were a step backward for American energy, undermined grid reliability, and threatened to inflate costs for Nebraskans who get about half our state’s electricity from coal. I was pleased when President Trump signed an executive order requiring EPA to reconsider these overreaching regulations earlier this year, and Administrator Zeldin is right to eliminate them. Putting a stranglehold on energy productivity was never the answer. Halting production at EPA’s red tape factory will restore American energy abundance.”

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Stauber Applauds Trump Administration’s First Step to Reverse Biden’s Illegal Mineral Withdrawal in the Superior National Forest

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) made the following statement after United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins announced that her department will officially begin the process of reversing former President Biden’s illegal mineral withdrawal within the Superior National Forest. 

“This announcement is great news for Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District, and the nation. Former President Biden’s illegal decision to lock away these resources and throw away the key was not only harmful to my constituents, but it was harmful to this nation as it further cemented our reliance on Communist China for the critical minerals on which we all rely. I thank USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, and President Donald Trump for taking the first step to reverse this massive wrong. As the demand for critical minerals continues to skyrocket, I look forward to seeing Minnesota’s skilled miners safely deliver our vast mineral wealth to the nation using the best labor and environmental standards in the world.”

Read Secretary Rollins’ announcement HERE: https://x.com/RepPeteStauber/status/1932899972678381931