Kay Granger: “This amendment increases funding for the Virginia-class submarine program by $1 billion, at the expense of other…”

“This amendment increases funding for the Virginia-class submarine program by $1 billion, at the expense of other critical Navy and Air Force programs. The Department of Defense, Secretary of the Navy, Secretary of the Air Force, and the National Coast Guard Association of the United States all oppose this amendment. In fact, the Deputy Secretary of Defense sent a letter detailing the harmful effects this amendment has on multiple critical National Defense Strategy programs. His quote: ``disrupt multiple critical National Defense Strategy programs.'' These are must-have programs, like the DDG 51 guided-missile destroyer, the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, the Global Hawk, and the TAO fleet oiler, just to name a few. I have also received a letter from the National Guard Association opposing this amendment. Mr. Chairman, I include in the Record the letters I received from the Deputy Secretary of Defense and the National Guard Association. Deputy Secretary of Defense, Washington, DC, June 26, 2018. Hon. Kay Granger, Chairwoman, Subcommittee on Defense, Committee on Appropriations, House of Representatives, Washington. DC. Dear Madam Chairwoman: The Department of Defense (DoD) objects to the proposed amendment by Representatives Courtney and Wittman that cuts over $1 billion from the Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 President's Budget.…”