Wittman Leads Letter in Support of Block Buy for Aircraft Carriers in FY19 WASHINGTON – Representatives Rob Wittman (R-VA), Bobby Scott (D-VA), Bradley Byrne (R-AL), and Joe Courtney (D-CT), were joined by 127 Representatives in sending a letter to Department of Defense Secretary James Mattis supporting a block buy of two Ford-class aircraft carriers in FY2019. “A dual procurement allows the Navy to build to a fleet of 12 aircraft carriers more quickly as prescribed by the FY18 National Defense...
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Weekly Update: Victory is Incomplete By Rob Wittman December 17, 2017 Victory is incomplete, but for now, we claim it. Just three years ago, in the middle of 2014, ISIS claimed to have established a caliphate—a religious state under an extreme interpretation of Islamic law. This self-proclaimed caliphate had reign over seven to eight million people and access to vast resources. However, in October, their self-proclaimed capital of Raqqa fell to U.S. backed Kurdish forces; followed shortly by Ira...
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Wittman Statement on Navy’s Strategic Readiness Review WASHINGTON – Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01), Chairman of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, released this statement following the release of Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer’s report on the USS McCain and USS Fitzgerald collisions: “Yesterday, I had the opportunity to meet with Secretary Spencer regarding his findings on the three ship collisions as well as one ship grounding that occurred earlier this year. I am pleased...
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VA Delegation Sends Letter to SecNav Spencer on Maritime Commerce WASHINGTON - The entire Virginia Delegation, led by Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-1) and Congressman A. Donald McEachin (VA-4), joined together to send a letter to the Secretary of the Navy, Richard Spencer, regarding the Navy’s role in the widening of the Thimble Shoals Channel in Hampton Roads that supports operations of both the Port of Virginia and Naval Station Norfolk. Naval Station Norfolk is the world's largest naval base, ...
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Weekly Update: Give Thanks By Rob Wittman November 23, 2017 We have a tradition in my family on Thanksgiving. We all sit down at the table, and before we start eating the beautifully prepared feast, we go around and say what we are thankful for. Well this year, I wanted to do the same thing for work as I do for family; look back through 2017 to think about what I am most thankful for. As I reflected on this year, I thought about all that we have accomplished. From the outset of 2017, I made it a...
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Wittman Visits Troops and Engages with Military and Diplomatic Leaders in Middle East Wittman, Ernst, Peters, Young, & Rothfus Express Gratitude to Servicemembers Ahead of Thanksgiving WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) joined a bipartisan congressional delegation, led by U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) to Afghanistan, Kuwait, and Iraq, to thank U.S. servicemembers for their service and sacrifice ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. Other members on the trip included U.S. Senator G...
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Wittman Statement on House Passage of the FY18 NDAA Conference Report WASHINGTON – Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01), chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces, released this statement following the House passage of the conference report of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (FY18 NDAA). “As the Chairman of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee and a conferee, I am proud of this conference report as I believe it provides...
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Wittman Statement on FY18 NDAA Conference Report WASHINGTON – Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01), chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces, released the following statement after signing the conference report of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (FY18 NDAA). The bill is the main mechanism through which Congress "provides for the common defense" of our nation. This bill equips, supplies, and trains our troops; provides a better li...
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Dear Friend- I just wrote an op-ed that was published in Real Clear Defense on securing a proper defense topline; specifically ending the defense sequester. For too long we have allowed the budget to drive our military strategy; instead, we need to have our strategy drive the budget. I will continue working to ensure we restore military readiness and meet the needs of our men and women in uniform. The full article is below. Please do not hesitate to contact me anytime an issue that concerns you ...
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Wittman Statement on 7th Fleet Collisions Investigation WASHINGTON- Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-1) released this statement following a briefing on the USS McCain and USS Fitzgerald investigation: “Today, I had the opportunity to meet with Admiral John Richardson, Chief of Naval Operations and Admiral Phil Davidson, Commander, Fleet Forces Command, regarding their findings on several surface ship incidents that occurred this year. Two of those ship collisions, USS Fitzgerald and USS McCain, resul...
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