Wittman-Led Subcommittee Releases Summary of Extended Look into Navy’s Shipbuilding Plan PDF Print E-mail
November 29, 2012

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-1), Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, released the following statement today after the subcommittee published a summary of its activities related to the United States Navy's 30 Year Shipbuilding Plan:

"As the representative for Virginia's First Congressional District, which extends into Hampton Roads and is home to many military installations and interests, I care deeply about the strategic oversight role of the U.S. Congress and the importance of ensuring that the men and women of our armed forces are supremely well-equipped to accomplish their mission. Through hearings, briefings, shipyard visits, and other interactions with the Department of the Navy and the shipbuilding industry over the last eighteen months, the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee has delved deeply into the effectiveness of the Department of Defense’s 30 Year Shipbuilding Plan and its impacts on our defense industrial base. I greatly appreciate the input from the military leaders and shipbuilding experts who testified before the subcommittee throughout this process. Their testimony has been extremely valuable, providing historical context, budgetary considerations, and military goals through which to view this issue. I also want to thank the various shipyards around the country for their hospitality. Nothing can take the place of first-hand observations and frank conversations with those who are a part of this unique and critical industry. Throughout the visits my colleagues and I took to these facilities, we consistently encountered enthusiastic, innovative operations dedicated to producing ships that set our nation above the rest of the world in naval expertise and capability.

“This study has highlighted the importance of a vigilant oversight role by the Congress to ensure that the shipbuilding planning process effectively encompasses both strategic priorities and realistic timelines, as well as a constant dialogue between industry, government and military leaders. There is no doubt that our nation is home to the greatest military the world has ever known, as well as the greatest shipbuilders the world has ever known. However, it is critical to remember that these feats are not mutually exclusive. Without a robust shipbuilding sector, our Sailors and Marines would lose their ability to protect maritime shipping lanes and project power in the way that the shifting global balance of power necessitates. As our strategic objectives pivot to the Asia Pacific, the ability to project American strength and protect our interest is critical to achieving maritime and national security success in the 21st Century. Therefore, it is absolutely critical that our shipbuilding plans be based on sound, strategic priorities that are compatible with the financial and technical realities of our ship-manufacturing sector. Like many experts, I believe that the Navy needs more ships, and this summary emphasizes the important role that collaboration between military and industry leaders plays in maintaining our military's strategic goals.”

Between June 2011 and September 2012, Wittman, who recently returned from a visit to Taiwan and U.S. military installations in Japan, led the Oversight and Investigation Subcommittee’s study of the Navy’s 30-Year Shipbuilding Plan. This study included three hearings and four congressional delegation tours of industry facilities, Navy installations, and vessels around the United States.

Please read the summary here.

Congressman Rob Wittman represents the First District of Virginia. Since his election to Congress in 2007, Wittman has been a tireless advocate for a strong naval fleet and a robust shipbuilding industry. He serves on the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Armed Services Committee, where he is Chairman of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee.


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