U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Champions “Made in America” Policy for Wisconsin Shipbuilding Suppliers

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the United States Senate passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016, which included a provision championed by U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, requiring the domestic manufacture of certain shipboard components, such as diesel engines, for the U.S. Navy’s new oiler ship, one of which will be purchased in FY16 for $674 million.

This provision will help ensure a level playing field for Beloit, Wisconsin-based Fairbanks Morse Engine, which has been a key supplier of superior-performance and best-value diesel engines to the U.S. Navy for decades, as well as other suppliers in America’s shipbuilding industry. Enacting this requirement into law will provide Fairbanks Morse with an opportunity to fairly compete for propulsion work on the Navy’s new oiler program, which ultimately will include 17 ships in the fleet, constructed over the next 17 years.

“This critical provision will maintain the U.S. Navy’s historical and mutually beneficial relationship with the domestic shipbuilding industrial base by continuing policies that have served U.S. national security and the public interest for almost 25 years,” said Senator Baldwin. “As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I was proud to fight on behalf of the hard-working men and women of Wisconsin’s shipbuilding industry who play a critical role in strengthening our Made in Wisconsin economy and our national security.”

“Thanks to the efforts of Senator Baldwin and the U.S. Congress, the inclusion of Section 8125 in the budget will preserve critical technical skills and expertise in the United States.  This provision supports the continued availability of skilled, middle class jobs in Wisconsin and Beloit,” said Fairbanks Morse President Marvin Riley.

“We are committed to continue supplying engines and parts for the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard and to invest in our business, developing capabilities to support the critical defense industrial base,” Riley said. “We are proud to ensure the readiness of the fleet through life cycle support, including technical expertise, certified repair parts and availability of service personnel around the world.” 

In November, Senator Baldwin sent a letter to leadership of both the Senate and House Appropriations Subcommittees on Defense, urging them to include this provision in their final legislation.