Shaheen Joins Members to Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral SHIPS Act to Meet Navy’s Goal of 355 Ships

(Washington, DC) – Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, joined a group of 24 members to introduce bicameral, bipartisan legislation that would make it the policy of the United States to achieve the Navy’s requirement of 355 ships. Under the “Securing the Homeland by Increasing our Power on the Seas (SHIPS) Act,” the fleet would be comprised of the optimal mix of platforms, with funding levels subject to annual appropriations. Currently, only 276 ships are in the battle fleet.

“A strong investment in the Navy is not only an investment in our national defense, but also our national economy,” said Senator Shaheen. “It is critical that the Navy has the resources it needs to address security challenges in the United States and around the world. The Securing the Homeland by Increasing our Power on the Seas Act is a blueprint for our nation’s security strategy and a commitment to the safety of our country.”

The legislation mirrors the Navy’s recent force-structure assessment that said it needed 355 ships to meet the demands on its force.