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Navy Build Up Needs Comprehensive Approach
Increased operations, lengthened deployments, strained readiness, and rapid developments around the globe point to the need for a larger fleet. Read Joe's op-ed in USNI News here. -
Tolland mom working with Courtney to help opioid addicts
Jennifer Kelly has a powerful story to tell about the dangers of the growing opioid epidemic. She recently traveled to Washington to tell her family’s story and to plead for emergency action to address rising drug abuse nationwide. -
Building the Next Generation of Submarines Right Here in Southeastern Connecticut
News that Electric Boat has been selected by the Navy as the prime contractor for the Ohio-class replacement program is not only great news for our region, but for the entire state. -
Correcting a National Disgrace by Standing Up for 'Blue Water' Navy Veterans
Congressman Courtney joined veterans and colleagues in front of the U.S. Capitol building to show support for the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act. He has requested that the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs take action on the legislation to provide Navy sailors with care for ‘Agent Orange’ exposure. -
Protecting Connecticut’s Traditional Maple Syrup Industry
Congressman Courtney is pushing the FDA to take action against products that are misbranded as containing maple sugar in order to protect consumers and farmers in Connecticut.
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“These critical federal dollars will help update, improve, and protect housing for Connecticut families, children, and seniors—making countless homes more modern, safe, and healthy places to live and grow. From repairs and renovations to detecting lead hazards, the grants announced today will make a longstanding, positive impact in neighborhoods from Bridgeport to Brooklyn. We applaud HUD for their continued investment in our communities and will continue to fight to protect and preserve this funding from any ruthless cuts for years to come,” said the delegation.
“Since I first came to Congress, I have worked hard on a bipartisan basis to grow our submarine fleet and respond to the undersea needs of our Navy and our nation. Whether it was doubling submarine production in 2007, or passing the authority needed to enact the largest shipbuilding contract in American history, I have been proud to lead the way in pushing for the funding and support needed to grow our submarine force and invest in our industrial base. As ranking member of the seapower subcommittee, I have helped keep these issues front and center in the debate over our defense budget priorities. This bill continues that effort, and responds to three years of strategic analysis by the Navy and Congress as well as a chorus of testimony from our top military commanders stationed overseas that we need more attack submarines, as fast as possible, to meet growing demands around the world. Building on the current two a year production rate of Virginia class submarines, this measure helps the Navy to go even higher in the next block contract by authorizing up to 13 attack submarines between 2019 and 2023. We have laid out an aggressive but realistic plan to build as many as three submarines a year for the first time in decades, and I look forward to continuing to work with my committee colleagues, the shipyards and the Navy to make this a reality.”
This year’s mark takes the first statutory step to codify the multi-year call to grow America’s fleet. Beginning with the 2015 Comprehensive Strategy for Maritime Security, the 2016 Force Structure Assessment, and culminating in the 2017 Accelerated Fleet Plan - it has become abundantly clear that growing today’s fleet from 278 to a 308 ship fleet – which was underway is still inadequate. Rather, the FSA which was released by former Navy Secretary Ray Mabus last December stipulated that a 355 ship battle force fleet is required to deter aggression and maintain the security of the seas. I am proud that the 355 ship fleet requirement is formally codified in this year’s mark.