Senator Baldwin Releases Statement on Navy Announcement of New Frigate Class

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) released the following statement after the U.S. Navy announced its plan to introduce a new frigate class. This announcement comes after the Trump administration announced plans to cut back the production of the U.S. Navy's Constellation-class frigate warships that are produced in Marinette, Green Bay, and Sturgeon Bay, WI.

"Wisconsin workers and businesses have decades of experience and a second-to-none track record of building world-class vessels that defend our nation," said Senator Baldwin. "That's why I fought hard to build the Constellation-class frigates in Wisconsin, but the Trump administration is turning its back on this program and pulling the rug out from under thousands of skilled workers. Instead of following through with work already underway, Donald Trump has decided to throw in the towel and start from scratch - with no guarantee of better results. If the Trump administration insists on building a new frigate, then I call on the Navy to uphold its promise to Wisconsin's shipyards, communities, and workers and ensure that some of these ships are built here in Wisconsin. Additionally, using any of the Navy's money meant to build the Constellation-class in Wisconsin for this new frigate without the approval of Congress is illegal. It is only fair for the Trump administration to use every dollar meant to build the Constellation-class in Wisconsin for other Made in Wisconsin ships."

Baldwin was an early and strong advocate for Constellation-class frigates being built in Wisconsin. In 2020, Fincantieri Marinette Marine won the contract. In the 2021 NDAA, Baldwin helped secure more than $1 billion for an additional Constellation-class frigate, to be built in Marinette, Wisconsin, as well as $69.1 million in additional advanced procurement funding for critical systems and components for the frigate. Since 2023, Senator Baldwin has also successfully fought to include $200 million in Department of Defense funding bills to support the frigate program and the Wisconsin workforce.

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