Rep. Courtney Welcomes Senate Appropriations Decision to Increase Funding for the Virginia-class Program

Press Release

Rep. Courtney Welcomes Senate Appropriations Decision to Increase Funding for the Virginia-class Program

Washington, Sep 12 - Congressman Joe Courtney released the following statement today responding to the Senate Appropriations Committee decision to increase funding for the Virginia-class submarine program:

"Senators Dodd and Lieberman have been tireless advocates for increasing our submarine fleet. The funding they have worked so hard to secure in the Senate will not only stabilize the workforce in southeastern Connecticut, but also improve our long term national security. I look forward to continuing to work with them as the Senate considers this important bill."

"For many years, southeastern Connecticut residents and Electric Boat's employees have fought for a two submarines per year schedule, and I hope that in just a few months we will be able to deliver great news to the region."

Congressman Courtney successfully secured $588 million for the advanced procurement of an additional Virginia-class submarine in the Fiscal Year 2008 Defense Appropriations spending bill, which passed the House of Representatives in early August.

Upon passage of the House Defense Appropriations bill in August, Congressman Courtney sent a letter to Senator Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), Chairman of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, stressing the importance of the Virginia-class program and urging the Senate to follow the House's lead by providing funding for the advanced procurement of a second submarine.

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