H.R. 4951

119th CONGRESS 1st Session

To authorize an exception to the prohibition on the construction of naval vessels in foreign shipyards, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES · August 12, 2025 · Sponsor: Mr. Kennedy of Utah · Committee: Committee on Armed Services

Table of contents

• H.R. 4951
  • SEC. 1. Short title
  • SEC. 2. Exception to prohibition on construction of naval vessels in foreign shipyards

SEC. 1. Short title

• This Act may be cited as the Ensuring Naval Readiness Act.

SEC. 2. Exception to prohibition on construction of naval vessels in foreign shipyards

• Section 8679 of title 10, United States Code, is amended—
  • in subsection (a), by striking subsection (b)and inserting subsections (b) and (c); and
  • in subsection (b)—
    • in paragraph (1), by striking and inserting the following: “to do so, if—
      • the foreign shipyard concerned is located in a North Atlantic Treaty Organization member country or a country in the Indo-Pacific Region that is party to a mutual defense treaty with the United States; and
      • the cost of the construction concerned is less than the cost would be if such construction occurred in a domestic shipyard.
      • Before the construction of a naval vessel, or a major component of the hull or superstructure of a naval vessel, may commence at a foreign shipyard pursuant to this subsection, the Secretary of the Navy shall submit to Congress a certification that the foreign shipyard is not owned or operated by a Chinese company or a multinational company domiciled in the People’s Republic of China.
    • by adding at the end the following new paragraph: