Maine’s two major shipyards could receive millions in federal investments amid the United States’ push to build up its Navy.

The Senate Armed Services Committee approved the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act by a 26-1 vote. The vast piece of legislation includes $550 million in contracts on Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, the type built by Bath Iron Works. That’s in addition to previous funding toward the construction of a pair of destroyers, which received approval on March 15.

“For over six decades, Congress has taken a bipartisan approach to ensure that America’s military and defense forces have the training and equipment they need to carry out their missions, and protect our interests at home and abroad,” Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, a member of the committee, said in a news release. “As our global community faces some of its greatest challenges, the bill makes important investments in Maine people and businesses that are critical to the safety and security of our country.”

The Senate Armed Services Committee also included funding for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard modernization efforts for extending the dry dock to maintain the Navy’s submarine fleet.

Other measures within the FY26 NDAA will require the Department of Defense to publish the methodology for calculating housing allowances and the types of housing covered, with a pilot of a new calculation method based on rental costs by bedroom size. It is an effort to help address the housing allowance shortfalls for servicemembers.

The Senate Armed Services Committee also invested in enhanced cybersecurity, modernizing the nation’s nuclear deterrent, improved sharing of information between the Defense Department and State Veteran Agencies, and protecting service members from brain injuries related to blast exposure.

BIW officials declined to comment.

The proposal, typically reported as an original bill, has been filed on the Senate floor for debate and possible amendments before a final vote is taken. If the Senate passes its own bill first, it is sent to the House.

However, the Senate often takes up the House bill to consider amendments, including proposals from the Senate Armed Services Committee, before a final vote. If passed by a final vote, the bill is then sent to the president’s desk for signature. He can then sign it into law or veto the measure.