Stauber Amendment to Help Create More Opportunities for Fraser Shipyards Passes House

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Pete Stauber's (MN-08) amendment creating more opportunities for non-coastal shipyards such as Fraser Shipyards in Superior, WI passed out of the House as a part of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2020. It will now head to the Senate for consideration.

Specifically, this amendment would require the Secretary of the Navy to consider the feasibility of permitting certain naval vessels to undergo maintenance repairs at shipyards other than shipyards in the vessels' homeport. This amendment will help ensure America's military readiness.

Of his amendment's passage, Stauber stated, "As foreign adversaries like Iran continue to pose a threat to our national security, ensuring our military readiness is more important than ever. I know Fraser Shipyards is dedicated to the national security mission of the United States and will serve as a competent service provider to our naval vessels, and I am certain that other shipyards across the Great Lakes are up to the task as well."

Congressman Sean Duffy (WI-07), a cosponsor of the amendment, stated, ""Shipyards in the Great Lakes shouldn't be excluded from Navy maintenance work just because of government red tape. Our nation's military deserves the very best and I'm glad we could bring an opportunity like this to the Great Lakes. The Pentagon needs to study the feasibility of Navy maintenance work in the Great Lakes and this amendment directs DoD to do just that."

Under current law, there are certain restrictions that limit where U.S. naval vessels can undergo maintenance repair. The U.S. Navy has a tremendous maintenance backlog, and should these restrictions be lifted, the backlog would decrease exponentially.

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