President signs FY 2010 Defense Appropriations - On December 19, 2009, the President signed the FY 2010 Defense Appropriations Bill in to law (PL 111-118).  Congress appropriated $12.5 billion for 7 new ships.  The funding provides for the procurement of one Virginia class submarine, one DDG-51 Arleigh Burke multi-mission destroyer, two T-AKE combat logistics force ships, two littoral combat vessels, and one joint high speed vessel.  The bill further provides funding to complete the third DDG-1000 Zumwalt class multi-mission destroyer, and the tenth LPD-17 amphibious transport dock ship.  Congress also added $170 million in advance procurement funding to the budget request for the LHA-7 amphibious assault ship. This advance funding will help to achieve a construction start in FY 2011.  (Click here to view the Navy ship procurement section of the bill.)

Coast Guard Receives $730.6 Million for Ships in FY 2010 – On October 28, 2009, the President signed into law the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2010 (PL 111-83).  Included in the legislation was $730.6 million for surface ships under the Coast Guard’s Deepwater program.  The House and Senate added $108 million to the Administration’s budget request of $281 million for the National Security Cutter (NSC).  This increase will fully fund the 4th NSC, and provide for the purchase of long lead materials for the 5th NSC.  The Congress also added $27 million to the Coast Guard’s budget to continue with the reactivation of the polar icebreaker USCGC Polar Star, which is currently not operational.

Senate Passes FY 2010 Defense Appropriations Bill – On October 6th, the Senate passed its version of the FY 2010 Defense Appropriations Bill (HR 3326, as amended).  The legislation provides $13.6 billion for 7 ships.  The conference to resolve the differences between the House and Senate versions of the FY 2010 Defense Appropriations legislation is underway.    Click here to read the Committee report accompanying the Senate bill.

House Passes FY 2010 Defense Appropriations Bill – On July 30th, the House of Representatives passed its version of the FY 2010 Defense Appropriations Bill (HR 3326).  The legislation provides $13 billion for 10 ships, which is $949 million and two ships above the Administration’s budget request for new naval ships.  Click here to read the House report accompanying the House bill. 

House Subcommittee Holds Hearing on Improving Shipbuilding Effectiveness - On July 30th, the House Armed Services Seapower and Expeditionary Forces Subcommittee held a hearing on efforts to improve shipbuilding effectiveness.  The hearing focused on ways to reduce the cost of naval ships and improve efficiencies in order to legitimately rebuild America’s Navy and preserve the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base.  Click here to watch the hearing:  Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.

House and Senate Pass Respective Versions of FY 2010 Defense Authorization Bill – (click on the underlined bill numbers to view the House and Senate versions of the legislation.)  On July 23rd, the Senate passed its version of the FY 2010 National Defense Authorization Act (HR 2647, as amended by S 1390).  The Senate bill authorizes $11.7 billion for seven naval vessels; one ship and $400 million below the Administration’s request.  The House version of the legislation (HR 2647), which passed the House of Representatives on June 25th, authorizes $12.3 billion for eight vessels, which is an increase of $220 million to the budget request.  - Click here to read a copy of the report accompanying House Bill HR 2647. - Click here to read a copy of the report accompanying Senate Bill S 1390.

Senate Adds Funds for Coast Guard Ships – On July 9th, the Senate passed its version of the FY 2010 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill (HR 2892, as amended by S 1298), providing $735 million for surface ships under the Coast Guard’s Deepwater program.  The bill provides $389 million for the National Security Cutter (NSC), an increase of $108 million above the President’s request for the program.  The Senate included $8 million for the sustainment of the High Endurance Cutter fleet to ensure operational readiness and added $27 million to continue with the reactivation and extend the service life of the icebreaker USCGC Polar Star.  Click here to read the accompanying report to the Senate’s FY 2010 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill.

House Fully Funds Administration’s Request for Coast Guard Ships – On June 24th, the House of Representatives passed its version of the FY 2010 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill (HR 2892), funding the President’s budget request of $591 for surface ships as part of the Coast Guard’s Deepwater program.  Click here to read a the accompanying bill report.

Senate Receives Testimony from the Navy Regarding the FY 2010 Request for Shipbuilding Programs – Click here to view the Senate Armed Services Seapower Subcommittee hearing held on June 16th, 2009.

House Seapower and Expeditionary Forces Subcommittee Authorize Navy Funding –   Click here to watch the June 12th, 2009, Subcommittee mark of the FY 2010 National Defense Authorization Act (HR 2647).

House Receives Testimony from Navy on the FY 2010 Budget Request – On May 14th, 2009, the House Armed Services Committee received testimony from the Navy regarding the FY 2010 budget.  The House Armed Services Seapower and Expeditionary Forces Subcommittee met on May 15th, 2009, to receive testimony from the Navy regarding shipbuilding acquisition programs.  - Click here to watch the May 14th hearing:  Part 1, Part 2. - Click here to watch the May 15th hearing.

FY 2010 Budget Released; $12.1B Requested for 8 Ships - On May 7th, the President submitted the Administration’s FY 2010 budget to Congress.  The base budget of the Department of Defense is $533.8 billion, of which $12.1 billion has been requested for 8 new naval ships.  Click here to view the Navy Budget Highlights Book.

Senate Holds Hearings on Combating Piracy – On May 5th, the Senate Committees on Armed Services and Commerce, Science, and Transportation held separate hearings on piracy on the high seas.  - Click here to view the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee hearing. - Click here to view the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing.  

Commander of U.S. Pacific Command Discusses Growth of China’s Submarine Fleet
On March 12, 2008,  House Armed Services Committee held a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2009 budget request for the Pacific Command (PACOM). Congressman Joe Courtney (D-CT) questioned Admiral Timothy Keating, Commander of U.S. Pacific Command, about the buildup of the Chinese Navy. In response to Rep. Courtney’s questioning, Admiral Keating talked about the size and capabilities of the Chinese submarine fleet, which he described as “good and getting better.” In addition, in response to a question Rep. Courtney asked about whether the size of the US attack submarine fleet was adequate to meet the rise of the Chinese Navy, Keating responded that “it is adequate to meet need -- but I could use more.”

Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME) Voices Support for the U.S. Commercial Shipbuilding Industry
During the July 19, 2007, Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee mark of the Maritime Administration Authorities Act of 2007 (S 1778), Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME) highlighted the importance of the Maritime Administration and stressed the need for the United States to revitalize its commercial shipbuilding industry, maintaining a fleet of U.S.-built ships for this country’s transportation and economic independence. Click here to read Sen. Snowe’s statement.

House Authorizes the Procurement of 8 Ships – FY 2008 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 1585)
On May 17th, the House of Representatives passed its version of H.R. 1585, the National Defense Authorization Act. The bill provides $15.1 billion for the procurement of eight ships. This is the first of four FY 2008 defense spending bills to be passed this year. The House bill funds the six ships contained in the Administration’s budget request, which includes one aircraft carrier, one Virginia class attack submarine, one amphibious transport dock ship, two littoral combat ships, and one combat force logistics ship in addition to funding for the completion of the first two multi-mission land attack destroyers. The House also authorized the addition of one LPD-17 amphibious transport dock ship and one T-AKE combat force logistics ship.

Key House Leader Calls for Increased Submarine Production –Rep. Jack Murtha (D-PA), Chairman of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee has been calling for increasing the Navy’s shipbuilding budget this year, providing for the procurement of up to twelve ships. This includes accelerating the procurement of the nation’s attack class s ubmarines. Chairman Murtha stressed the importance of submarines to America’s national security after visiting Electric Boat Corporation in Groton, Connecticut. MSNBC April 10, 2007.Read Article.

Hearing on U.S. Shipyard Capital Investments – Rep. Gene Taylor (D-MS), Chairman of the House Seapower and Expeditionary Forces Subcommittee held a hearing on March 20th, to examine ways to facilitate greater capital investment in U.S. shipyards. Cynthia L. Brown, President of the American Shipbuilding Association; Philip Teel, President of Northrop Grumman Ship Systems; and Mike Toner, Executive Vice President of General Dynamics Marine Operations Group testified on behalf of the shipbuilding industry as to the importance of capital investments to improve efficiencies, and help to lower the cost of naval ships. March 20, 2007.

Title XI Ship Loan Guarantee Hearing – On March 15th, the House Seapower and Expeditionary Forces Subcommittee received testimony on the Maritime Administration’s Title XI Ship Loan Guarantee Program under the Department of Transportation. Title XI loan guarantees are vital to ensuring that small and medium sized companies have access to affordable financing in order to maintain a fleet of modern ships for America’s domestic waterborne transportation needs. Cynthia L. Brown, President of the American Shipbuilding Association testified as to Title XI’s importance in maintaining the highly skilled jobs in U.S. shipyards and strengthening the entire shipbuilding industrial base. March 15, 2007.

Submarine Force Structure Hearing – The House Seapower and Expeditionary Forces Subcommittee held a hearing on March 8th regarding the nation’s submarine force structure and the Navy’s acquisition plans for the U.S. submarine fleet. John Casey, President of Electric Boat Corporation; Mike Petters, President of Northrop Grumman Newport News; and Winfred Nash, President of BWXT Nuclear Operations Division testified on the state of the U.S. submarine industrial base. March 8, 2007.

As a Sea Power Ambassador we hope you will spread the word about the declining American fleet and the need to rebuild America's Navy. Below are some materials you can use for such efforts. Feel free to make copies of these materials and distribute them as needed to build support for our efforts. You can download them by clicking the right mouse button on the links and selecting "Save Target As".

Lott: Congress Will Ignore Proposed Warship Cuts - If U.S. Navy officials decide to go through with proposed cuts in warship production, Congress will ignore it, U.S. Sen. Trent Lott said. Lott said, however, that the Congress and shipbuilding officials should not overreact to the proposal, which was described in news stories in The Washington Post and The Associated Press. Mississippi Press, September 11, 2004

Navy Plans to Buy Fewer Ships - Squeezed by budget constraints, the Navy is proposing significant cuts in its shipbuilding program that could batter the already struggling industry. Washington Post, September 7, 2004

American Shipbuilding Association Interview – MaritimeTV Interviews Cynthia Brown President, American Shipbuilding Association during ANSE Day. June 29, 2004

Navy May Cut Dozens of Ships, Thousands of Sailors, Official Says – The Navy's top leadership has decided to pursue radical changes in the size and shape of its forces, likely resulting in the service shrinking by "thousands of sailors" and scaling back plans to add a substantial number of ships in the next few years, a senior Navy official said Friday. April 24, 2004

Statement of Ms. Cynthia L. Brown, President American Shipbuilding Association – Before the House Armed Services Committee Subcommittee on Projection Forces on March 30, 2004 (PDF File)

National Naval Force Structure Policy Act Fact Sheet – learn more about the efforts underway in Congress to make a national policy to maintain a naval fleet of 375 ships, built around 15 aircraft carrier battle groups and 15 amphibious ready groups. (Microsoft Word File)

Sample Seapower Speech - This is a sample speech that can be used when talking to organizations about the state of American sea power. It can be delivered "as is" or edited as needed. (Microsoft Word File)

Sea Power Ambassadors: Building Support for U.S. Fleets – An article in Seapower magazine by Navy League of the United States president, Sheila M. McNeill, about the benefits of the Sea Power Ambassador program. Feel free to make copies and distribute as needed. (Adobe PDF file)

Navy News & Undersea Technology - "2003: New, Smaller Systems For A Different Sort Of War," by David Ahearn, January 5, 2004, Monday. "The year 2003 was a time of smaller but in many ways significant defense contracts, a time of turning to new concepts for systems to prosecute the war on terrorism."