Shaheen Statement on Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Economic Impact Report

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement in response to the release of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard’s Economic Impact Report for 2020:

“This report reaffirms what we already know in New Hampshire: the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard plays a vital role in our state, not only to bolster our nation’s military readiness, but in robust support of our regional and state economies,” said Shaheen. “Our shipyard workers are skilled, hardworking individuals who help ensure our Navy submarine fleet is ready for any mission. I’m proud of the shipyard workforce, and especially so considering the immense challenges they faced during the pandemic – while many Granite Staters worked from home, shipyard workers reported to their stations every day to do their jobs. I’m grateful for all they do and for the leadership at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard who ensure projects are carried out in support of our national defense. As a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I’ll continue to fight for measures in the Senate that invest in our shipyard and its workforce.”

Earlier this month, Shaheen joined Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro for the groundbreaking of the multi-mission dry dock project at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. Shaheen has historically secured authorization and federal funding for the multi-mission dry dock project. In the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs funding bill for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022, Shaheen again secured these investments, which includes $475 million in funding for the multi-mission dry dock project. Shaheen also recently announced that Plaistow’s Methuen Construction was awarded a federal contract to complete the Dry Dock 2 complex at the Shipyard.

In addition to her leadership through the Senate Armed Services Committee on annual defense legislation, Shaheen also prioritizes other legislation in the Senate in support of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. This includes the Supplying Help to Infrastructure in Ports, Yards, and America’s Repair Docks (SHIPYARD) Act of 2021, which she introduced earlier this year with Senator Wicker (R-MS), and would provide $25 billion to make investments needed to optimize, improve and rebuild shipyard facilities, electrical infrastructure, environmental systems, and the equipment of public and private shipyards in the U.S. that support the U.S. Navy fleet. Shaheen and Wicker are co-chairs of the Senate Navy Caucus.