Magaziner Secures Wins for Rhode Island in Annual Defense Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representative Seth Magaziner (RI-02) applauded the House passage of several key priorities he helped secure in the Fiscal Year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to strengthen Rhode Island's submarine industry and workforce and to support mental health programs for servicemembers transitioning to veteran status.

"I am proud to have secured key provisions in this year's defense bill that strengthen Rhode Island's submarine industry and workforce, support our maritime security, and improve support for veterans transitioning to civilian life," said Magaziner.

Magaziner secured passage of his amendment reaffirming Congress's commitment to the AUKUS security partnership between the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom, which supports deterrence in the Indo-Pacific by helping Australia acquire submarines built and maintained with U.S. and U.K. support, and calls for greater investment in the United States' submarine industrial base to support the partnership. Rep. Magaziner also co-sponsored a bipartisan amendment that was adopted, led by Rep. Joe Courtney (CT-02), increasing the sale of Virginia-class submarines to Australia from two to three. Rhode Island workers manufacture Virginia-class submarines at Quonset Point.

Magaziner also partnered with Rep. Zach Nunn (IA-03) to pass their bipartisan amendment requiring a study of methods to better provide mental health resources to servicemembers during the first year after leaving the military. The study will identify opportunities to strengthen suicide prevention programs for transitioning servicemembers and veterans.

This effort builds on the bipartisan Daniel J. Harvey and Adam Lambert Improving Servicemember Transition to Reduce Veteran Suicide Act, introduced by Magaziner and Nunn. The legislation is named in part for Johnston native Lance Cpl. Daniel J. Harvey Jr., who tragically died by suicide within a year of leaving the Marine Corps.

Although Magaziner successfully secured House passage of these priorities benefiting Rhode Island's defense industry and veterans, he ultimately voted against final House-passage of the NDAA because of partisan anti-LGBTQ and voter suppression measures that were included.