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In terms of power projection, technology, flexibility, and global presence, it is hard to argue that there is any stronger component of American might than the aircraft carrier. Today, aircraft carriers are deployed throughout the world, on station when and where our country needs them most. They occupy a key role in our national strategy, providing a permanent and mobile presence in some of the globe’s most contentious hot spots.

"USDA Rural Development provides small towns in our region with access to low-cost loans and grant funding to support critical infrastructure projects that are vital to economic growth. I congratulate First Selectwoman Nicholson on this significant victory for Pomfret, and I will continue to work in Washington to maintain access to Rural Development funds for eastern Connecticut towns," Courtney said.

“The annual Aerospace and Defense International Trade Summit provides Connecticut suppliers with a unique opportunity to meet with international prime contractors and government officials right here in Mystic. Eastern Connecticut’s defense sector is a cornerstone of our economy, encompassing hundreds of companies throughout the state in the submarine supply chain. I encourage Connecticut companies to take advantage of this chance to increase exports and develop relationships with major defense and aerospace companies from around the world,” Courtney said.

"Since the seventeen-day government shutdown in 2013 orchestrated by House Republicans, our nation has lurched from crisis to crisis, averting disaster through short term patches and eleventh-hour gimmicks. The lack of certainty in the budgeting process, the looming threat of sequestration, and the threat of default on the full faith and credit of our treasury bonds, have needlessly hamstrung our nation's economic recovery and hindered our military and key government agencies from performing their missions."

Our undersea capabilities remains one of the most distinctive and asymmetrical advantages for our nation. One of the greatest challenges we face, however, is the rapid developments in undersea sensors, capabilities and platforms around the world. The reality is that this significant and hard-earned edge in the undersea realm is perishable if we do not do all we can now to maintain this core advantage for the future.

“The award of the contract for the Long Range Strike Bomber today is an important and welcome step forward in ensuring that our nation retains our critical strike and power projection capabilities.” Courtney said. “As testimony before our subcommittee has shown definitively, our nation’s ability to project power and strike from far distances is a cornerstone of our warfighting capabilities – both now and well into the future. In the coming months, Congress must do all it can on a bipartisan basis to support this program, while also providing the necessary oversight to ensure successful execution. As ranking member of the House Seapower and Projections Forces Subcommittee, I look forward to working with the Air Force, industry and my colleagues in Congress to ensure success of this critical national priority.”

"The Export-Import Bank has provided necessary financing for U.S. exporters—with bipartisan support in Washington—for more than 80 years," Courtney said. "This year, the far-right wing of the House GOP launched an unprecedented partisan attack on the bank, which provides support to hundreds of thousands of jobs and returns millions in revenue to the U.S. Treasury each year. Companies in Connecticut and across the country need reliable access to affordable financing options to backstop their export deals in order to compete in the global economy, and American workers and families rely on the good jobs they provide."

“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."