Chairman Courtney Hails Biden Executive Action on Expanding Submarine Industrial Base Capacity

NORWICH, CT—Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02), Chairman of the House Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, today praised President Biden's signing of a presidential determination aimed at strengthening the U.S. submarine industrial base. The determination, signed yesterday, finds that "the capability, capacity, and workforce to meet the Virginia Class submarine undersea warfighting mission is essential to our national security" and unlocks funding for critical projects under the Defense Production Act.

"As we look at ways to shore up and expand our submarine industrial base and production capacity, we need every tool in the toolbox to get the job done," Chairman Courtney said. "President Biden's new executive action does just that by authorizing Defense Production Act investment in the capacity, capability, and workforce of our attack submarines. This action comes on the heels of Congressional approval of the new defense authorization bill that includes my provision to authorize $200 million to expand the production capacity of our shipyards and industrial base to achieve increased build rates. Whether it's growing our own submarine production rates or supporting our allies through the AUKUS agreement, this action, coupled with the NDAA, is a powerful statement of the high priority of these efforts."

"I look forward to working with the Biden Administration, the Defense Department, and our industrial base to ensure that this authority is put to good use," Courtney added.

The final FY22 NDAA, passed with bipartisan majorities in the House and Senate and awaiting the President's signature, includes Chairman Courtney's proposal to authorize $200 million to allow the Navy to support shipyard facility and industrial base improvements to enable future increases in Virginia class submarine production. Click here to read more.

President Biden's December 21 determination finds that "Ensuring a robust, resilient, and competitive domestic defense industrial base that has the capability, capacity, and workforce to meet the Virginia Class submarine undersea warfighting mission is essential to our national security" and that "Large Scale Fabrication, Shipbuilding Industrial Base Expansion for Resilience and Robustness, and Maritime Workforce Training Pipelines in support of Virginia Class attack submarine production are industrial resources, materials, or critical technology items essential to the national defense."

According to the Department of Defense, a presidential determination allows the use of Title III authorities if appropriate and funding is available to support the identified need. Click here to read the December 21 determination.

To read more about the Title III authorities in the Defense Production Act, click here.

###