Rep. Courtney Cheers House Passage of Defense Bill, Increased Production of Virginia-Class Submarines

Press Release

Rep. Courtney Cheers House Passage of Defense Bill, Increased Production of Virginia-Class Submarines

Congressman Joe Courtney announced today the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, which includes $3.9 billion for the Virginia-class submarine program, including advanced procurement funding for an additional Virginia-class submarine. The announcement came during a press teleconference call on which the Congressman was joined by General Dynamics Electric Boat President John Casey.

The Defense Authorization includes $588 million for the advanced procurement of the initial components for an additional Virginia-class nuclear submarine to be built by General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton. Congressman Courtney has advocated for an accelerated Virginia-class submarine production schedule to two boats per year beginning as early as Fiscal Year 2009.

"I appreciate the support that my advocacy on behalf of the Virginia-class program and its workforce has received in Congress," stated Congressman Courtney. "When I was elected to Congress, I promised to fight to improve the shipbuilding industrial base and strengthen our national defense, and this is a huge step in that direction. I thank House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton and Seapower Subcommittee Chairman Gene Taylor for their foresight and vision for a more robust United States Navy."

"Congressman Courtney worked extremely hard and made valuable contributions to this year's defense authorization bill. His dedication to the health of the U.S. Navy and the submarine industry resulted in a provision which provides an additional ship set of reactor parts for a new Virginia class sub. I am proud to have worked with Congressman Courtney to produce this bill, and our men and women in uniform are fortunate to have him working on their behalf," stated House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton.

"I would like to personally thank Congressman Joe Courtney for his successful efforts in authorizing funding for a second Virginia-class submarine. This achievement makes huge strides in protecting America's national security and is critical to maintaining the health of our submarine industrial base," stated Subcommittee Chairman Gene Taylor (D-MS).

"It's encouraging that the House has unanimously backed not only the construction of another Virginia class submarine in fiscal year 2008, but also the long-lead materials that would allow the Navy to accelerate production of two submarines per year. In addition, the bill's funding of submarine research and development will help to sustain the submarine design industrial base. This bill is a critical step for Electric Boat, but also for the Navy and the United States, because the ability to design and build submarines is critical to our national security," stated Electric Boat President John Casey. Mr. Casey provided testified before the Seapower Subcommittee in March during a hearing regarding expanding the submarine production plan to two boats per year. Congressman Courtney requested and organized the hearing.

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