Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2025

Floor Speech

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Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the work that has been done on the underlying bill.

I rise on behalf of my amendment No. 60 to H.R. 8774, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for 2025.

My amendment specifies that the United States Navy shall use $19.44 million to procure 40-foot patrol boats. The Navy has a stated need for these new boats to replace the aging feet, the old 38-foot boats. In today's battle environment, it is essential that we have the most advanced technology and capabilities.

It is well understood the 40-foot patrol boats are essential to the Navy's mission, and the Navy requires the shipyards by contract to be capable of producing one boat every 45 days in order to sustain maximum efficiency. Yet, the Navy does not fully fund the program through the President's budget request year after year to ensure this objective is accomplished.

My amendment does not increase the actual cost of the 40-foot patrol boat program. Instead, the amendment simply specifies within appropriations the funds needed for the efficiency of the Navy and the shipyards working together to build these vessels.

Overall efficiency requires that the rate of funding match the rate of vessel production, and any pause in the delivery of funding leads to a loss of the existing workforce, the supply chain, the vendors, the materials, et cetera. Coordinating funding with production is essential, and we should support this commonsense funding delivery adjustment which is essentially what my amendment calls for.

It is critical that we ensure our Armed Forces have the vessels and technology required to secure America. I will always advocate for a strong maritime industry that bolsters our national security and supports thousands of American jobs.

I am grateful for this opportunity to speak on behalf of my amendment, Mr. Chairman.

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