Defense bill has $259M for vessels being built by Conrad

A massive defense bill passed Wednesday by the U.S. House contains hundreds of millions that would go to Louisiana contractors, including $259 million for vessels being built by Morgan City’s Conrad Shipyard,.
The National Defense Authorization Act for the budget year beginning Oct. 1 calls for just over $1 trillion in defense spending. The act passed the House 216-212 generally along party lines, with Democrats objecting to the Trump administration’s handling of the war with Iran.
The bill now moves to the Senate for deliberations.
According to U.S. Rep. Clay Higgins, R-Lafayette, the $259 million is for Yard Repair, Berthing and Messing craft. Conrad delivered the first YRBM to the Navy in October 2024.
The YRBMs are like floating hotels that can be towed to ports. The YRBMs serve as housing for sailors while maintenance or repair are underway on their ships.
“This year’s NDAA strengthens America’s standing as the most powerful military force the world has ever known. President Trump has brought new meaning to the term ‘Peace Through Strength,’” Higgins said in a press release.
“This legislation provides American warfighters with the tools they need to win in any conflict, anywhere around the world. As I ascend in seniority on the Armed Services Committee, we will continue to perform for the country and fight for Louisiana priorities.” 
Among the bill’s provisions that Higgins said will benefit Louisiana:
•$259 million for Yard, Repair, Berthing, and Messing (YRBM) barge craft.
•$152 million for the procurement of Navy 40-foot Patrol Boats. 
•$5 million for Louisiana industry to develop unmanned Arctic-capable vessels.
•$35 million for defense technology innovation programs in partnership with the Louisiana Defense Research Consortium and UL-Lafayette.
•Language directing the Navy to develop and report on clear performance standards for integrating mission payloads onto unmanned surface vessels.
•$125 million for the Platform Supply Vessel Program to support offshore maritime logistics.
•Language directing the Navy to evaluate the industrial base’s maintenance, logistics, and sustainment capacity needed to support large unmanned undersea vehicles. 
•$733 million for the Ship to Shore Connector program. The NDAA also authorizes advanced procurement for the Ship to Shore Connector program to maintain its production schedule.
Language directing a Navy and U.S. Marine Corps study to inform future requirements for advanced reconnaissance vessels for constituent shipbuilders.
•$7 million for aerial computer sensor manufacturing in Louisiana.
•Language directing the Navy to develop a strategy to maintain a competitive and resilient unmanned surface vessel industrial base.
•Support for design and testing of USVs operating in contested environments. 
•Supporting continuity of mission and readiness during the transition of F-5 to F/A18 fighter aircraft which will directly benefit Joint Reserve Base New Orleans.
•$53 million for M917A3 heavy dump trucks for the Louisiana National Guard.
•Language directing the Army to assess how autonomous unmanned surface vessels could protect U.S. watercraft in contested environments. 
•Authorization for the Louisiana National Guard and Navy Reserve to procure F-15EX fighter jets.
•$70 million for 48-meter autonomous M3OPVs, supporting the Pentagon rapid prototyping initiative for autonomous vessels in contested logistics environments.
$25 million to modernize B-52 Agile Pod systems at Barksdale Air Force Base.
Language requiring a quality-of-life assessment for the garrison at Joint Reserve Base New Orleans.
$916 million for funding additional C-130J aircraft for the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve. 
Language directing, when possible, the domestic production and sourcing of critical minerals for defense supply chains.
Language prohibiting the procurement of vehicles and vehicle technologies from adversarial nations like China and Russia.
$25 million for the development of a directed energy satellite missile defense system. 
$133 million and report language for advancing sea-based petroleum distribution systems. 
$13.5 million for maneuverable spacecraft prototyping to support the U.S. Space Force.  
Language establishing the National Guard Homeland Defense Service Ribbon for personnel engaged in missions to protect federal personnel and property, support law enforcement, secure the border and restore public order.
Language directing the U.S. Census Bureau to coordinate with the Department of War to provide an accurate count of personnel living on U.S. military installations, to prevent undercounting for congressional apportionment.