U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Gets the Job Done for Wisconsin Shipbuilding in Bipartisan Defense Spending Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, successfully secured funding for three Littoral Combat Ships in the bipartisan FY2019 defense spending bill that was released Friday by the House-Senate conference committee. Wisconsin is home to Fincantieri Marinette Marine shipyard, which builds the Freedom-variant of LCS.

“I take great pride in representing Wisconsin’s shipbuilding industry because our workers have helped sustain America’s security for generations, boasting a successful history of building ships for our nation’s defense,” said Senator Baldwin. “The LCS program is supported by thousands of skilled workers at the Marinette Marine shipyard and at the 200 suppliers across Wisconsin. Funding three LCS ships not only supports our Made in Wisconsin economy, it adds capacity and capability to the Navy fleet, strengthening our national security at a time of ever-increasing mission demands.”

Last week, Senator Baldwin called on House and Senate Appropriators to include funding for three ships in the final spending agreement in order to help revitalize American shipbuilding and manufacturing, strengthen the defense industrial base and preserve American jobs.

Senator Baldwin has long supported the LCS program and successfully worked to authorize funding for three ships in the bipartisan 2019 National Defense Authorization Act that was signed into law earlier this year.