Olympia Snowe: “Both the House and Senate versions of the FY2001 national Defense authorization bill contain provisions that supported…”

“Both the House and Senate versions of the FY2001 national Defense authorization bill contain provisions that supported the President's budget request and authorized $1.51 billion for Navy procurement of two LPD-17 amphibious ships in FY2001. The LPD-17 program is a critical ship for the modernization of the Navy's amphibious force. It will carry more than 700 Marines and the equipment and means for them to get ashore and perform their mission-- whether that mission is combat related, peacekeeping or in response to crisis throughout the world. It is a Commandant of the Marine Corps, before the Senate Armed Services Committee that ``there are no underutilized amphibious ships,'' and the testimony by Lieutenant General Rhodes before the Seapower Subcommittee where he stated that ``the operational flexibility and forward presence our Amphibious Ready Groups represent will be significantly enhanced with the FY03 delivery of the first of 12 LPD-17 amphibious ships.'' He further stated, ``these ships will overcome amphibious lift shortfalls.''”