"Although an important factor, budget considerations should not be the main point in determining our force structure," stated Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-6th). "The United States relies on aircraft carriers to project our power around the world, and reducing their number would weaken our national security. That is why I am joining in offering this legislation to maintain our current fleet of carriers at twelve."

The Department of Defense has produced a budget document to reduce spending by $30 billion over the next five years. One proposal in the document is to retire the USS Kennedy in 2006, which currently is set to operate until 2018. In addition to reducing the carrier fleet, early retirement of the USS Kennedy could undermine the future of Mayport as a major naval facility.

Explained Stearns, "A decade ago, the Navy experimented with a force of 11 active carriers, with another designated as an 'operational/reserve training carrier,' and found that it needed a full force of 12 active carriers. Since that time, the demands on our air wings have increased, with aircraft from the USS Kennedy most recently flying 38 a mission a day in Iraq. The USS Kennedy is essential to our national security and to the long-term future of Mayport."