Overhaul of Carl Vinson could start soon

NEWPORT NEWS -- The Defense Department budget bill is set to be completed by next week, meaning a major aircraft carrier project slated to begin at Northrop Grumman Newport News later this month won't be delayed.

Navy and shipyard officials were concerned that the midlife refueling and overhaul on the USS Carl Vinson, a three-year project set to employ 2,500 workers at the yard, would not begin Nov. 13. The House and Senate versions of the appropriations bill have been held up for months.

But a conference committee meeting has been set for Friday to hammer out differences, meaning the budget bill should be passed by next week, said John Scofield, spokesman for the House Appropriations Committee.

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