Rep. Courtney Applauds President Biden’s $3.4B Request to Strengthen Submarine Force
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) issued the following statement after the Biden Administration requested $3.4 billion from Congress to strengthen the U.S. Navy’s submarine fleet and the submarine industrial base. The request is part of a larger national security package to support Ukraine, Israel, the U.S. border, and the Indo Pacific region.
“President Biden’s $3.4 billion request to strengthen the Navy’s submarine fleet and our submarine industrial base underscores the Administration’s clear-eyed commitment to growing U.S. undersea supremacy. This request will not only help the industrial base increase production and capacity to ensure the Navy can meet its own fleet requirements but also position the AUKUS mission for success. With Prime Minister Albanese’s official visit to the United States in just a few days, President Biden is proving, once again, that the U.S. has an unwavering commitment to the trilateral security agreement and maintaining peace in the Indo Pacific.
“The $3.4 billion request comes after my ongoing work with the U.S. Navy and industry to identify meaningful avenues to direct resources and expand capacity across the enterprise on top of the record investments the Seapower Subcommittee authorized in the submarine industrial base since FY 2018. Those investment have already improved operational availability, expanded the workforce, and strengthened businesses across the supply chain.
“I also applaud President Biden’s inclusion of significant resources to bolster our national security at the border, support our allies Ukraine and Israel as they respond to horrific assaults on their nations, and address the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Gaza to help meet civilians’ basic needs.
“In order to advance President Biden’s request, my Democratic colleagues and I continue to stand united and ready to negotiate with the Republican majority to find a bipartisan forward and ensure the Republicans’ infighting does not stall this urgent business.”