U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Gets the Job Done for Wisconsin Shipbuilding and Manufacturing in National Defense Authorization Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The final Fiscal Year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) released this week by the House-Senate conference committee includes funding for three Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) that U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin fought for in the bipartisan legislation. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Baldwin has long supported the LCS program and has successfully worked for funding to support Made in Wisconsin shipbuilding.

“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.”

The Senate version of the NDAA funded only one ship and included harmful restrictions on the LCS program. Senator Baldwin led a bipartisan amendment to increase funding for the program and to remove these restrictions, urging her colleagues to support this critical Made in Wisconsin national security effort. The final NDAA fully funds the program, supporting the construction of three LCS, and rejects the Senate attempt to limit the program. Senator Baldwin’s efforts will help maintain workforce levels at the shipyard in Marinette and throughout the supply chain across Wisconsin.

The Senate version of the NDAA also included a shortsighted $250 million cut to Oshkosh Defense’s Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) program. Senator Baldwin led a bipartisan amendment to reject that reduction, and the final NDAA fully funds the JLTV. “I have worked hard to support manufacturing jobs at Oshkosh Defense and have long championed the procurement of military vehicles made in Wisconsin,” Senator Baldwin said.

Senator Baldwin also helped secure nearly $30 million in the final NDAA for military construction and family housing projects at Wisconsin’s Fort McCoy, one of the Army’s premier training facilities.