"The administration's ill-considered hiring freeze and layoffs created uncertainty that swept through shipyards across the country and resulted in real damage to an essential component of our national defense and preparedness," said Senator Shaheen. "My provision rights this wrong and prevents further hiring delays by taking OPM out of the equation so that public shipyards jobs, which are vital to national security, are exempt from current and future hiring freezes. I'm pleased that the amendment received bipartisan support and I look forward to its passage by the full Senate."