Courtney Statement on Freedom of Navigation Operations in the South China Sea

Washington, DC – Congressman Joe Courtney, Ranking Member of the House Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, issued the following statement on the announcement that U.S. Navy plans to send the destroyer USS Lassen within 12 nautical miles of China’s artificial islands built in the South China Sea in the next 24 hours:

“I fully support the deployment of the USS Lassen to sail within 12 nautical miles of Subi and Mischief reefs. These operations are necessary to uphold maritime law and standards on the high seas, particularly as it relates to artificial islands that receive no claims under international law. Our Navy is uniquely positioned to ensure that no nation be given legal or moral space to make unfounded and excessive maritime claims that could destabilize this already highly contested area or impede the free flow of commerce that the world relies on."

“As important as this action is by the Navy and the Administration, Congress also has work to do. As I called for last month, the Senate must heed the calls of countless military leaders and experts to ratify the Law of the Sea Treaty. It is long past time to get this done.”

Last month, Congressman Courtney penned an op-ed in Roll Call expressing support for robust freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea to counter any excessive maritime claims associated with the artificial islands built by China. Additionally, he called for the ratification of the Law of the Sea Treaty by the U.S. Senate to fully back up our nation’s effort to uphold freedom of navigation on the high seas.

Congressman Courtney represents the second Congressional District of Connecticut, and serves as Ranking Member of the House Seapower and projection Forces Subcommittee.