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.  

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