OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Authorizing the Secretary of the Navy to Enter into a Contract for the Nuclear Refueling and Complex Overhaul of the USS "Carl Vinson"

Date: Nov. 16, 2005
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Defense Infrastructure


AUTHORIZING THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT FOR THE NUCLEAR REFUELING AND COMPLEX OVERHAUL OF THE USS ``CARL VINSON'' -- (House of Representatives - November 16, 2005)

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Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from North Carolina for yielding me this time.

Mr. Speaker, the USS Carl Vinson was scheduled to commence Refueling and Complex Overhaul at Northrop Grumman Newport News last week on November 10.

The authorization and funding for this project was included in the President's fiscal year 2006 budget request and was included in each Chamber's version of the fiscal year 2006 defense authorization and appropriations bills. There is no controversy about these provisions, but the defense bills, as we have heard, have not passed, they are still being negotiated, and there may be some time before final action is taken. Since neither the defense authorization or appropriations conference reports have passed, the lack of authorization language and funding has prevented the Navy from moving forward with this contract, and no work can begin until some legislation actually passes. Some of the workers may be temporarily placed on other jobs, but most will either be idle or laid off, possibly replaced by less experienced workers. Vendor schedules will also be adversely affected.

Mr. Speaker, this delay will obviously increase the costs of the overhaul program. It will complicate other ship construction and repair schedules at Northrop Grumman Newport News facilities. H.R. 4326 will allow the work to proceed without further delay. It will save money and enhance national security by speeding up the return of the Vinson to the carrier fleet.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlewoman from Virginia (Mrs. Jo Ann Davis), for her hard work on this bill; my other colleagues, Mrs. Drake and the gentleman from North Carolina. We all have shipyard workers in our districts. I want to also thank the leadership of the Armed Services Committee and the leadership of the House for expediting the passage of this bill.

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