Public Shipyard Workforce Protection Act of 2025

H.R. 6793 would prohibit the use of Defense Department funds to carry out hiring freezes, reductions in force, or hiring delays without cause at public naval shipyards. The bill would apply to the four public shipyards located in Maine, Virginia, Washington state, and Hawaii that maintain and repair Navy vessels including submarines and aircraft carriers. The legislation would protect specific positions such as welders, mechanics, engineers, and other skilled trades essential to shipyard operations.

If enacted, the bill would ensure that public shipyard workers remain exempt from federal workforce reduction initiatives and hiring caps. Supporters argue this protection is necessary to maintain military readiness, as these shipyards face significant maintenance backlogs and staffing shortages. For example, one shipyard reportedly needs to hire approximately 550 personnel annually to keep up with submarine maintenance demands. The bill is currently in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full House.