OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Approving Purchases of Littoral Combat Ships

Floor Speech

Date: Dec. 15, 2010
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Defense

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Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation, which I think strikes the right balance in terms of the need for our Navy to build up its Littoral Combat Ship Program but also addressing I think a lot of the problems of this program, which has been very troubled over the last few years in terms of trying to get the cost per ship down.

I'd just like to say, though, on a personal note, that the work that Chairman TAYLOR has done on this program going back to 2007 with a series of hearings, looking at, again, the alarming increases in cost growth has been an extraordinary contribution, not just to this Congress, but to our country. There has been no one who has been more diligent in terms of trying to look out for the American taxpayer. There is no one who, in my opinion, has been more knowledgeable about every aspect of these vessels than the gentleman from Mississippi who is departing in a few days, and who I think is going to be sorely missed by this country in terms of the amazing work that he's done as chairman of the Seapower subcommittee.

All across the spectrum, in terms of ships, he has been there trying to, again, advance this country to get to the goal of a 314-ship Navy, which has been a struggle, protecting the industrial base, from New England all the way to San Diego and, again, all the time while being open and accessible to all Members across both party lines in terms of making sure that, again, we're going to achieve those goals and make sure that our country, which is still a great maritime power, is going to have a Navy that can project our force in a way that, again, is adequate for the challenges of the 21st century.

Again, his service to this country has just been extraordinary. It has been a
privilege to serve with him over the last 4 years. Passing this legislation, I think, will be, again, another capstone to a great career in Congress. And, again, I want to thank him for his service.

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