Political Quotes

“in 2025, with growing global maritime threats, it is particularly important for Congress to exercise its constitutional mandate to ``provide and maintain a Navy.'' The Seapower portion of this bill accomplished that goal. For example, the bill includes a plus-up of $5 billion to shipbuilding above the administration's request, including $1.9 billion to address glaring OMB budget request shortfalls in the Virginia submarine account. The Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee also strengthened the industrial base by replenishing last year's wage improvement authorities with 615 million new dollars to continue progress in hiring a new generation of shipyard workers in the metal trades. For the Columbia-class program, the Navy's number one priority, the bill again fixes another glaring OMB blunder which short-funded Columbia in both the reconciliation bill and last month's continuing resolution. The subcommittee provides Navy with contracting authority for five new Columbia subs, with incremental funding authority, eliminating the risk of a stop-work order which came close to happening because of the Columbia omission in last month's CR. The bill also authorizes a boost to sealift, the new Marine Corps Landing Ship program with a vessel construction manager model, and the fourth Ford-class aircraft carrier.”