Defense & National Security
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November 8, 2017
Press Release
Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-2), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces, hailed the completion of the conference report to the Fiscal Year 2018 National Defense Authorization Act.
November 3, 2017
In The News
"The review does not sugar coat the fact that glaring deficiencies in training and leadership subjected ships and sailors to unacceptable risks in the 'can do' culture that predominated in the western Pacific," U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, said in a written statement.
November 2, 2017
Press Release
Congressman Joe Courtney, Ranking Member of the House Seapower and Projection Forces subcommittee, issued the following statement on the Navy’s Comprehensive Review of Recent Surface Force Incidents.
October 19, 2017
In The News
Energy costs were a huge factor in determining military value during the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure, or BRAC, process, said U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District. The base narrowly escaped closure then.
Courtney noted that Congress was in the "final strokes" of a defense bill that doesn't include a BRAC round, which the Pentagon has repeatedly asked for in recent years. But that "doesn't necessarily mean that's a perpetual state of affairs," he said, noting a report released Wednesday by Defense Secretary James Mattis on excess infrastructure capacity in the military.
October 13, 2017
Press Release
President Trump’s decision to withhold certification of the JCPOA directly contradicts the opinion of our nation's highest military leadership. General Joseph Dunford clearly stated last month that implementation of the agreement has slowed Iran’s nuclear program and that withdrawal would undermine our ability to broker future diplomatic solutions. His view was echoed by Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis last week when he affirmed before Congress that this agreement remains in the national security interests of the United States.
October 12, 2017
Press Release
Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-2), ranking member of the House Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, was appointed to serve on the conference committee tasked with developing a final 2018 defense authorization bill.
September 22, 2017
In The News
U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, whose Connecticut district includes Electric Boat, said the contract kicked off “the next critical phase of the Columbia-class program.”
September 22, 2017
Press Release
“The award of the detail design contact to Electric Boat kicks off the next critical phase of the Columbia class program,” said Courtney. “A lot of hard work has already gone into planning and developing this top national security priority, but that was really preparation for the work yet to occur under this new contract. Every day, countless individuals - from the shipyard to suppliers to workforce development experts – are working to ensure that our region is ready to meet the multi-generational challenge of designing and building this new submarine. This milestone today is a testament to their work, but a reminder that we still have a lot to do as Congress and the Navy look to grow our undersea fleet. This work is fueling economic growth and hiring across the region, and today’s contract keeps that momentum going. I will continue to do all I can to advocate for the funding, authorities and support needed to get this job done."
September 18, 2017
Press Release
“The Senate did the right thing by following the House’s lead this year by rejecting any discussion of a BRAC,”said Courtney. “Our region knows all too well that we must remain vigilant in defending SUBASE New London and that is what I have done since taking office, working with key stakeholders to support the base and its critical role in our nation’s defense. The language in the House version of the NDAA passed earlier this summer explicitly rejected a new base closing round, and I am glad that the Senate has followed suit. As the House and Senate work to craft a final defense bill in the weeks ahead, I will continue to be ensure rejection of BRAC.”
September 7, 2017
Press Release
"Thank you Mr. Chairman.
And thank you to Admiral Moran, Rear Admiral Boxall, and Mr. Pendleton for your testimony today. I would also like to recognize Ms. Rachel Eckels, mother of the late Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Timothy Eckels Jr. who perished onboard the USS John S. McCain, for joining us today.
The circumstances that bring us to today’s hearing are painful and tragic. As Admiral Moran pointed out in his order to the Navy’s Fleet Forces Command dated August 24, 2017, in the span of 65 days, 17 sailors were lost in ship collisions and accidents on naval vessels. These were not, as he pointed out, “limited occurrences” but part of a disturbing trend of mishaps in the Asia Pacific Region that since January involved the USS Antietam (CG 54), USS Lake Champlain (CG 57), USS Fitzgerald, and the USS John S. McCain. To put that in perspective, these heartbreaking casualties are more than the number of service members we have lost in the Afghanistan war zone in 2017."