KELLY OPENING STATEMENT AT HEARING ON FY25 BUDGET REQUEST FOR SEAPOWER AND PROJECTION FORCES

Apr 17, 2024

Press Release

Washington, D.C.- U.S. Representative Trent Kelly (R-MS), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces, delivered the following opening statement at a hearing on the Department of the Navy's Fiscal Year 2025 budget request for seapower and projection forces.

Rep. Kelly's remarks as prepared for delivery:

Today, we face an increasingly assertive and powerful China. To maintain America's command of the world's oceans, we must expand our Navy and its capabilities in order to deter and defeat the adversary. We have heard the CNO talk about keeping "more players on the field", yet this President's budget request sends the wrong signal, seeking to divest 19 ships, including 10 that haven't reached their expected service life, and purchasing only 6. A diminished Navy emboldens Beijing and undermines America's position as the global maritime leader.

As our subcommittee grapples with critical challenges and strategic decisions in this year's NDAA, our goal remains clear: to ensure our Navy and Marine Corps team is equipped, ready, and capable of defending freedom in the world's oceans.

The Navy recently undertook a 45-day review of its major shipbuilding programs. To be frank, it's unclear exactly what has been achieved. What is clear is that we need a deeper level of self-reflection from the Navy. It's crucial that we better understand your strategies for improvement and how you plan to recover schedules.

We continue to face production challenges with our submarines. The decision to include only one Virginia class submarine in the budget request does not align with the 2+1 cadence that was predicated under the AUKUS agreement. Sending a strong demand signal is essential for maintaining industrial capabilities and international confidence in our naval production. Reducing our order from two boats to one in this year's budget does not inspire confidence, nor does it forecast stability to our industry partners or allies.

Regarding the Columbia-class submarines, intended to be our strategic deterrent backbone, the ongoing delays are a serious concern. These delays not only risk our nuclear deterrence posture but also complicate our compliance with STRATCOM's operational requirements. I look forward to hearing plans from our witnesses today on how the Navy intends to mitigate these risks.

Additional delays in the designs and production of the DDG(X) and SSN(X) threaten the Navy's ability to maintain the world's most lethal and advanced Navy. These delays are costly and threaten long-term planning as well as the readiness of our fleet.

Turning to surface vessels, the Constellation-class frigates have not been spared from these setbacks. Originally slated for delivery in September 2026, the first ship's arrival has now been pushed to December 2027, with subsequent ships on an equally tentative schedule. This delay represents a broader trend of inefficiencies that we must address.

This year's 30-year shipbuilding plan presented two rather than three future pathways, a step in the right direction -but is still sure to confuse our industry partners. If I were industry, I would be scratching my head trying to decipher these plans. It is critical that the Navy provide a coherent strategy and clear headlights that industry can align with and invest with confidence.

I am pleased to see the inclusion of LPD 33 in the budget request, adhering to the 31 amphibious ship requirement mandated by the NDAA. However, while this is a positive step, existing issues with LSMs indicate that we must ensure affordability and producibility.

We must also be cautious about the tendency to pile on requirements in ship design and production. History has shown us that this often leads to increased costs and extended delivery timelines.

In closing, I look forward to transparency today, addressing recent setbacks and outlining proactive steps to overcome them. Our national security and the lethality of our naval forces depend on your commitment to resolving these issues promptly.