Courtney elicits testimony from Navy affirming that Continuing Resolution will continue funding of two-a-year submarine build rate | Congressman Joe Courtney
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Courtney elicits testimony from Navy affirming that Continuing Resolution will continue funding of two-a-year submarine build rate

September 12, 2012

WASHINGTON, DC – At a hearing of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, Congressman Joe Courtney elicited testimony from Assistant Secretary of the Navy Sean Stackley affirming that the Fiscal Year 2013 Continuing Resolution (CR) being considered by the Congress would in fact continue to fully fund continued doubled submarine production at Electric Boat. The 2013 CR, which is expected to be passed in the House tomorrow, would fund the government for six months through March 2013.

When asked whether the CR provided the resources necessary to maintain the two-per-year build rate on Virginia Class submarines in 2013, Stackley said:

"Yes sir. So there would be two pieces of this. So we have two boats that have been requested with the 2013 budget. Those have been supported by all the committees. So when we look at how the CR would impact the program, we have to look at what each of the committees did. We also have to look at 2012. So when we look at 2012 high water mark we impose the CR impact on ‘12, we look at what the four committees did—we think we're in pretty good shape for '13 execution for the Virginia multiyear. So we don't need further – it's not – for example, in the [DDG] 51 multiyear we don't have authorization. We're not hamstrung in that regard."

"Ensuring continued doubled submarine production at Groton is critical not just for our national security strategy, but to prevent costly overruns and delays in the Virginia Class program," said Congressman Courtney. "The talented men and women of Electric Boat have set the gold standard by repeatedly producing submarines ahead of schedule and under budget. The Navy's affirmation of that work and commitment to continuing doubled production in 2013 under CR funding is welcome news for those workers and our broader economy."

Full video of Courtney's exchange with Sec. Stackley is available below:

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Congressman Courtney is a member of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee.