Hirono Announces More than $74 Billion for Navy and Marine Corps Programs in FY2022 National Defense Authorization Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), Chair of the Senate Armed Services Seapower Subcommittee, announced that the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) includes more than $74 billion for critical Navy and Marine Corps Programs. This includes over $2 billion in additional funds on top of the base budget for key programs identified by the Chief of Naval Operations and the Commandant of the Marine Corps on their unfunded priority lists, such as the restoration of a second Arleigh-Burke class destroyer.

“This year’s NDAA represents our commitment to improving the Navy and Marine Corps’ ability to address the challenges of the new century,” Senator Hirono said. “This funding begins significant efforts to boost the readiness and capabilities of Navy and Marine Corps aircraft, ships, and weapons systems which are vital to our strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific.”

The inclusion of the second destroyer will prevent destabilization of the shipbuilding industrial base while also shielding the Navy and taxpayers from $33 million in penalties that would have been levied as a result of breaking a multi-ship procurement contract. Arleigh-Burke class destroyers are the workhorse of the Navy – capable of performing anti-air, surface, sub-surface, and land attack missions, providing a strong deterrent against any threat. The newest destroyers are also outfitted with a robust ballistic missile defense capability to augment other U.S. missile defense systems. 

The bill also includes provisions to strengthen oversight of the Navy’s shipbuilding programs by establishing a Deputy Commander of the Naval Sea Systems Command for Supervision of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair to manage execution of shipbuilding contracts. Additionally, the bill requires the Navy to report on risk reduction efforts to ensure that the new Constellation-class frigate program is a success, and urges the Navy to use best practices learned from its submarine acquisition programs as it develops and acquires the next generation destroyer.

The NDAA also fully supports the budget request for Marine Corps ground programs, authorizing funding for modernized military platforms like the Amphibious Combat Vehicle and additional funding for anti-ship and long-range missiles which will help deter China in the Indo-Pacific region.

As a member of the Subcommittee on Readiness, Senator Hirono successfully included an amendment urging the Navy to continue investment in the four public shipyards, including the one at Pearl Harbor, and keep the Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Plan (SIOP) on schedule.

Senator Hirono was appointed to chair the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower at the beginning of this year and has served as Ranking Member since 2015.