Protecting Public Naval Shipyards Act of 2025

This bill would stop staffing cuts at public naval shipyards. It says these workers can’t be frozen from hiring or reduced because of budget cuts, shifting funds, or being new on the job. It covers many hands-on and support roles, like welders, pipefitters, engineers, apprentices, mechanics, painters, nuclear maintenance staff, and people working on shipyard infrastructure and improvement projects. It still allows the Defense Department to act in cases of poor performance or misconduct.

Key points:

• Who is affected: Workers at public naval shipyards, including welders, pipefitters, engineers, apprentices, nuclear maintenance staff, mechanics, painters, and infrastructure/support roles.
• What changes: These jobs are protected from hiring freezes and workforce cuts tied to spending cuts or fund shifts; normal discipline for performance or conduct can still occur.
• When: Would apply after it becomes law, moving forward.