Defense & National Security
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January 14, 2019
Press Release
“Today’s announcement from Mr. Geiger and Electric Boat is good news for eastern Connecticut and for the state,” said Congressman Courtney. “This year’s projection of nearly 900 new hires represents a continued strong, upward trajectory for both the local and regional economies and builds on over 1,000 new hires in Connecticut over the past year.
January 11, 2019
Press Release
Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) voted to ensure that federal workers who have been furloughed or who have worked without pay during the current partial government shutdown are compensated fairly and expeditiously. The Government Employee Fair Treatment Act (S.
Courtney Statement On Navy Decision To Move USS DELAWARE Maintenance Work To Electric Boat In Groton
“This announcement isn’t just good news for Electric Boat, its good news for our submarine force” said Courtney. “Recent reports from the CBO and the GAO have underscored the urgent and growing need for the Navy to better utilize our private sector shipyards to ensure that our submarines – both new boats like Delaware and the existing fleet – get the timely maintenance and modernization they need. As demand for undersea capabilities continue to grow, it is more important than ever that the Navy use every tool at its disposal to get submarines the maintenance they need – and back out to see as quickly as possible.
December 24, 2018
In The News
In a letter spearheaded by Reps. Joe Courtney (D-Conn.) and Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) and sent by Australian Ambassador Joe Hockey, members of the Congressional Friends of Australia Caucus stressed the importance of the alliance between the countries after Mattis said he would leave the Trump administration.
December 19, 2018
Press Release
“Our region and our state are preparing for tremendous growth in submarine construction work in the coming years – and we need a robust supply chain to help meet the challenge,” said Courtney. “It’s all hands on deck to make sure we are ready to provide the manufacturing capability, the skilled workforce and the innovation that will get us there. I am proud to work with partners such as UCONN and the Thames River Innovation Place to accomplish this important and exciting goal.”
November 19, 2018
Press Release
“The GAO’s report is a sobering assessment of the challenges facing our undersea forces. While demand for our undersea fleet and its unique capabilities continues to rise as reflected in the 2016 Force Structure Assessment, delays in maintaining our existing fleet are exacerbating the growing shortfall in our submarine force structure. This report makes clear that the Navy must do more to fully utilize the capacity of our private shipyards to reduce the backlog in submarine repair work – something I have repeatedly urged the Navy to act on. It is long past time for a return to a “one shipyard” approach to meeting the challenge of maintaining and repairing our submarines so that they can get back to sea doing the important missions we need them to do."
November 15, 2018
Video
Yesterday, during debate on a rule governing debate on a bill removing endangered species protections for the gray wolf, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) took to the floor to oppose a procedural gimmick in the measure that blocks a resolution to end U.S. participation in the Saudi-led coalition’s intervention in the Yemen Civil War. Under the War Powers Act, the Yemen resolution (H.Con.Res.138), could have been called to the floor for a vote under expedited procedures. The rule passed yesterday, however, prevents this from occurring.
November 14, 2018
Press Release
“The report published this week paints a stark picture that our nation’s strategic advantage is severely at risk,” Ranking Member Courtney said. “The report also makes clear that the Administration’s 2018 National Defense Strategy lacks the depth and coherence necessary to link our military strategy to the resources needed to address the national security challenges our country is facing today. The report presents an invaluable ‘second opinion’ on the direction the Department of Defense and Congress should take in the coming years.
September 12, 2018
Press Release
"Over the last several years, I have consistently raised concerns about the lack of submarine repair work being assigned to private sector shipyards,” said Courtney. “We have seen increasing delays and shortfalls in capacity in the public shipyards that have kept submarines from their most important function, being at sea to support the needs of our nation. Unfortunately, the Navy has often pushed back on assigning more availabilities to private shipyards claiming that the cost of conducting maintenance in the private yards comes at an unaffordable ‘premium’. This analysis makes clear that these arguments do not hold up under objective scrutiny."
July 26, 2018
Press Release
“Over the last year, my committee has heard the relentless drumbeat of anxiety and concern about the looming shortfall in our attack submarine fleet. Without timely action by Congress, the Trump administration, and the Navy, the fleet will fall to just 42 submarines within the next decade,” said Courtney.