Kiggans Applauds Executive Order to Revitalize Shipbuilding

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02), a Navy veteran who represents one of the largest shipbuilding and ship repair hubs in the country, released the following statement in response to the President signing an Executive Order this week to revitalize shipbuilding and restore American maritime dominance:

“The President’s new shipbuilding Executive Order places an important emphasis on both our national security and local economic growth in shipbuilding and ship repair hubs like Virginia’s Second District,” said Congresswoman Kiggans. “The bottom line is that we have been decommissioning more ships than we’re building, and it’s time to turn things around. As China ramps up their threats and builds more ships by the day, strengthening our fleet is more important now than ever. This Executive Order is a critical step in bolstering our maritime industrial base, and I look forward to working with the Administration as we develop strategies to enhance our maritime community. It’s time to revitalize our shipyards, support our skilled workers, and keep our Navy ready to fight tonight!”

You can find the full Executive Order here, and a fact sheet on it here.

Background:

• Hampton Roads is home to the to the nation’s largest shipbuilding ship repair industrial base, employing more than 41,000 people across the region.

• Given its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and the vast network of smaller waterways, the Hampton Roads region has a long and reputable history in shipbuilding. It is home to several world-renowned shipyards, including Norfolk Naval Shipyard and Huntington Ingalls – Newport News Shipyard, the largest shipbuilder in the United States and only manufacturer of nuclear aircraft carriers in the world.

• However, from 2014 to 2024, the Navy’s surface fleet in Hampton Roads decreased from 48 to 28 vessels, creating challenges for Virginia’s ship repair industry and a 30% workforce reduction. Rehiring efforts face a 25% attrition rate.

• We have less ships today in 2025 than we had in 2003, but our threats from adversaries like China have only grown as they continue to build ships at an alarming rate.

• Congresswoman Kiggans, a Navy veteran, Navy wife, and Navy mom, has been a longstanding advocate for the shipbuilding and ship repair industry. In just this past month, she has done the following:

• On April 9^th, she spoke with INDOPACOM Commander, Admiral Samuel Paparo, about the Navy’s shipbuilding efforts at a House Armed Services Committee hearing. Watch here.

• On April 1^st, she met with Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) to discuss growing our fleet, tackling maintenance delays, and strengthening America’s shipbuilding efforts.

• On March 13^th, she introduced the Save Our Shipyards Act alongside fellow veterans Congressmen Mark Green and Don Davis. This bill would establish the National Commission on the Maritime Industrial Base to investigate the condition of the U.S. maritime industry and impediments to its growth.

• On March 11^th, she questioned witnesses at a House Armed Services Committee hearing about the state of U.S. shipbuilding and the importance of the Military Sealift Command. Watch here.

###