National Security and Defense

National Security and Defense

We are at a moment in history when the war in Afghanistan, cyber-attacks, terrorism, regional conflicts, and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction continue to challenge our nation at every turn.  As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, I am acutely aware of the need to provide our government with the adequate resources to understand and respond to the evolving nature of these diverse security threats.

Maine plays a vital role in guaranteeing the continued fortitude of our nation’s defenses, and those who contribute to this noble effort have my enduring support and deepest gratitude. From the courageous men and women who serve in our armed services to the tireless civilian employees working to ensure the strength of our military industrial base - I am fiercely committed to fighting on behalf of all Mainers who have dedicated their lives to the defense of our country.

  • Navy and Coast Guard: Maine’s skilled workforce and 3,478 miles of coastline make it an excellent environment for shipbuilding and maritime activities.  We conduct complex nuclear submarine overhaul operations at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, build destroyers critical to our naval superiority at Bath Iron Works, and host six Coast Guard stations that protect our mariners.  Ensuring that Maine remains a maritime defense leader is one of my highest priorities.
  • Portsmouth Naval Shipyard: Located on Seavey Island in Kittery, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY) is one of four government owned shipyards throughout the country.  The Shipyard’s primary mission is the overhaul, repair, and modernization of Los Angeles-class submarines.  The sensitive nature of work on nuclear submarines demands the highest standards of workmanship, engineering, and discretion.  PNSY maintains the industrial base and specialized workers necessary to meet these standards. 
    • To accomplish its mission, PNSY employs approximately 4,700 civilians, including 2,985 Mainers.  Approximately 100 naval officers and enlisted personnel are assigned to the Shipyard.  Communities from Sanford to Gouldsboro benefit from PNSY’s employment and procurement activities.  In 2012, the Yard’s Maine payroll exceeded $240 million. 
  • Bath Iron Works: Founded in 1884, Bath Iron Works (BIW) has participated in many industrial endeavors including naval shipbuilding and the development of offshore wind technology. BIW currently employs over 5,000 Mainers from across the state, and constructs some of the most advanced surface combatants in the world.  Current BIW programs include the DDG-51 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers as well as the DDG-1000 Zumwalt-class destroyers.  Together, these ships bolster our nation’s robust naval capability and provide for an effective national defense.
  • Missile Defense: I believe in a strong missile defense program to protect our nation against emerging threats from countries such as Iran and North Korea.  A robust missile defense includes both sea and land based detection and interceptor systems.  I support continued production of Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, which carry powerful radar systems and anti-ballistic Standard missiles.  Further, as the Department of Defense continues to explore possible East Coast land-based missile defense sites, I will advocate for outcomes that are in the best interests of our national security and the people of Maine.
  • Bolstering Cyber Security: Foreign governments and criminals are using digital tools and the Internet to steal sensitive information and technologies, which hurts U.S. workers and puts our security at risk.  We also face increasing computer-based threats to key information systems for our transportation infrastructure, electric grid, water systems, and financial networks.

    I am working to pass cyber security legislation that ensures the government and the private sector are effective partners in sharing information about cyber threats, protecting the U.S. information technology supply chain, and securing our critical cyber infrastructure.

    In addition, to properly address these security threats and help guide my work in the Senate, I want to better understand how Maine businesses are being impacted by malicious cyber activity. If your business is concerned about cyber security, please don’t hesitate to share your thoughts and experiences.
    Share Your Concerns

  • Oversight of Counterterrorism Operations: The Fifth Amendment – a fundamental bulwark of our freedom – provides that “no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.”  As our government fights terrorism at home and abroad, it is vital that we respect the Fifth Amendment rights of all Americans.  As such, I have proposed the creation of an independent process to review the use of lethal force in certain counterterrorism operations. 
  • Opposing WMD Proliferation: We must join with our international partners to prevent the spread of nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons.  As such, I support nuclear non-proliferation efforts and tough economic sanctions against rogue governments like those in Iran and North Korea that threaten global peace and stability.
  • Targeted Strike Oversight Reform Act of 2013: I have introduced a bipartisan bill with Marco Rubio (R-FL), my colleague on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, that would ensure  independent oversight of cases where the head of a U.S. intelligence agency has determined that a U.S. person is engaged in international terrorism against the U.S., and the government is considering the legality or the use of targeted lethal force against that individual.  In such cases, the TSOR Act would trigger several notifications and independent reviews, including:
    • Notification to the Director of National Intelligence (DNI)
    • Requirement that the DNI establish an independent “red-team,” led by an individual who does not report to the intelligence agency making the determination, to conduct an alternative analysis and report its findings within 15 days
    • Notification to the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community
    • Notification to the congressional intelligence committees regarding the identity of the U.S. person and the results of the red-team alternative analysis