Washington (January 28, 2026) – Senator John Kennedy (R-La.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.) urged U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to give serious consideration to Louisiana’s shipyards, among the best in the country, as the Department of War seeks to bolster our nation’s shipbuilding capacity.
“We write to encourage the Department of War to give deliberate and sustained consideration to small and mid-sized domestic shipyards, including those in South Louisiana, when awarding shipbuilding, repair, modernization, and sustainment contracts, as the Department works to restore America’s shipbuilding capacity and strengthen the nation’s defense industrial base,” the lawmakers began their letter to Hegseth.
“Louisiana’s small and mid-sized shipyards already operate in a manner consistent with the Department’s stated aim to prioritize speed, innovation, and a ‘commercial-first’ mindset in defense acquisition. . . . That operating model enables them to adapt quickly to evolving requirements, integrate new technologies, and deliver complex vessels at pace—capabilities that directly support the Department’s effort to modernize procurement and strengthen the defense industrial base,” they continued.
“Equally important, these yards anchor a strong and sustained maritime workforce. South Louisiana’s shipbuilding workforce is deep, experienced, and generational—comprised of welders, fitters, naval architects, engineers, electricians, machinists, and other skilled tradesmen. Investing in stable, long-term contract opportunities helps grow this workforce, preserves productive careers, and ensures capacity to deliver for warfighters today and in the decades to come,” the legislators added.
“We appreciate the Department’s leadership on these issues and welcome continued engagement on how best to ensure the full American shipbuilding industrial base is positioned to support national defense,” the Louisiana Republicans concluded.
Background:
- In June 2025, Kennedy questioned then-Acting Chief of Naval Operations James W. Kilby on China’s rapid shipbuilding pace and the United States’ failure to keep up, observing that “we’ve retired more [ships] than we’ve built” in 20 years.
- Kennedy also highlighted the critical role that private American shipyards, including those in Louisiana, should play as the U.S. military works to catch up and surpass China.
View Kennedy, Cassidy and Higgins’ full letter here.
