Congressman Kurt Schrader released the following statement following the announcement from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) that there is no practical alternative to basing the Pacific Fleet in Newport.

“This is great news for Newport; great news for our coast; and great news for the region,” said Schrader who represents Newport. “Today’s announcement confirms what we have known from the very beginning that Newport is the top site in terms of technical merit and in terms of cost for NOAA, Newport and American taxpayers. I’m pleased that NOAA has continued to pursue this fair and open process, in spite of attempted politicization, and that Newport will soon be the new home of the Pacific Fleet and the hundreds of jobs and economic development opportunities it will bring to our coast.”