KITTERY, Maine — On April 17, 2025, U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-New Hampshire) welcomed Navy Secretary John Phelan to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, emphasizing the need for an expanded naval fleet to counter China's growing maritime power. This visit marked Phelan's first official tour of a U.S. public shipyard since he took office last month.
Collins expressed her optimism about Phelan's reaction to the shipyard, stating, "I was encouraged by the reaction of Navy Secretary John Phelan after he toured the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard for the first time." During the visit, Phelan toured the USS Washington, a nuclear-powered attack submarine, and engaged with shipyard workers, including Commander Capt. Michael Oberdorf. Shaheen noted that Phelan appeared "very impressed" with the facility and offered suggestions aimed at enhancing productivity and efficiency.
"We need to build up our Navy. That is a bipartisan goal," Collins asserted, highlighting the stark contrast in naval capabilities between the U.S. and China. According to Collins, the U.S. Navy currently operates 296 battle force-ready ships, while China is projected to expand its fleet to approximately 400 vessels over the next decade. "China is far surpassing us in the number of ships and submarines," she added.
The senators emphasized the importance of not only increasing the fleet size but also improving the shipyard's infrastructure to support its workforce. They pointed out that robust parking, childcare, and housing facilities are critical for maintaining a skilled workforce capable of meeting the Navy's demands. "All the things that it takes to make sure we have a workforce that is able to do the job," Shaheen remarked.
In a written statement, Senator Angus King (I-Maine) expressed pride in accompanying Phelan during his visit, reinforcing the historical collaboration between the U.S. Navy and the state of Maine. "The United States Navy and the state of Maine have worked together for generations to protect our nation and maintain the best-built ships in the fleet for the fight," King said, emphasizing the need for sustainable investments in the workforce.
Collins and Shaheen previously advocated for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard to be exempted from a federal hiring freeze imposed by the Trump administration. This exemption was granted in March 2025, following their public appeal to Navy leadership. The shipyard had previously canceled a planned hiring event due to the freeze, which had raised concerns about maintaining a skilled workforce.
Despite the challenges, including a recent incident where six workers were temporarily laid off before five were reinstated, Collins remains optimistic about the shipyard's future. "The future of the shipyard is very bright," she stated, noting that the current workforce of approximately 6,800 is expected to grow to 7,700 in the coming years.
The shipyard's ongoing dry dock expansion project, funded through the federal Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program, is estimated to cost $2 billion. Phelan acknowledged the significance of this project, stating, "The work being done at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is incredibly important to the Navy. Getting in, seeing it firsthand, and having honest conversations with shipyard workers gives me an opportunity to really understand what’s working well and what can be improved."
As the visit unfolded, the senators also addressed broader issues facing the Navy and the shipyard. Collins pointed out that tariffs on raw materials, particularly steel and aluminum, could impact the shipyard's financial viability, although she believes it will be less affected than shipyards focused on constructing new vessels.
Collins also briefly touched on a federal lawsuit filed by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi against Maine regarding a state law that permits transgender girls and women to compete in girls' and women's athletics. Collins reiterated her position as a "strong supporter of the original intent of Title IX," stating, "I do not think that it is fair or safe to allow biological boys or men to participate and to compete against girls and women." However, she clarified that she does not support cutting off federal funds to the state as a result of this lawsuit.
The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, established 225 years ago, has been a vital component of the U.S. Navy's operations and a significant employer in the region. As discussions continue about the future of the Navy and its capabilities, the shipyard's workforce expansion and infrastructure improvements will be critical to maintaining the Navy's readiness and effectiveness.
