House Passes Four Amo Amendments to Strengthen Rhode Island’s Defense Workforce and Blue Economy

WASHINGTON, DC – TODAY, House Foreign Affairs Committee Vice Ranking Member Gabe Amo (D-RI) authored four amendments that passed the House as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 Department of Defense Appropriations Act. The amendments support and encourage Rhode Island’s premier defense manufacturers like VATN Systems in Portsmouth, Composite Energy Technologies in Bristol, Textron Inc. in Providence, and G-Form in North Smithfield — national leaders in developing underwater drones for the United States Navy.

“Rhode Island is leading our nation in developing cutting-edge technology that should be utilized to strengthen and modernize the U.S. military,” said Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI). “The amendments I pushed for that were included in this year’s Defense Department appropriations bill will support good paying jobs at home in Rhode Island while advancing our national security.”

Background

Ranking Member Amo’s first amendment provides $10 million in funding for testing and adoption across the U.S. Navy fleet of underwater drone battery technology developed in RI.

Amo’s second amendment provides $8 million in funding to develop underwater drones utilizing cutting edge composite materials technology developed by companies like Composite Energy Technologies in Bristol, RI.   

The third amendment authored by Amo provides $10 million to upgrade the fuel tanks of military helicopters to increase servicemember safety and maintenance affordability while providing good-paying jobs in Rhode Island. 

Amo’s fourth amendment provides $5 million in improvements to the safety and functionality of servicemembers helmets in extremely cold conditions using state of the art materials like those developed by G-Form in North Smithfield, RI.

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