Press Releases

Washington, D.C.- Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) and Congressman Steven Palazzo (MS-04) introduced legislation holding 50% of the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Cost Assessment & Program Evaluation’s (OSD CAPE) budget until they enter into the bundle-buy contract for LHA 9 and LPD 31, 32, & 33.

“The Navy-Marine Corps team asked, and Congress delivered,” said Wittman. “The bundled procurement of amphibious ships that Congress provided last year would save the U.S. taxpayer $720 million. The Navy still wants these ships and has signaled they will build them—but thanks to the Administration wanting their fingerprints on everything, we are sitting on our hands and losing hundreds of millions of dollars in savings. This is unacceptable. China will not stand by while the Biden Administration continues navel-gazing the obvious plight of our amphibious forces. Six months into this Administration and they now nominate a Secretary of the Navy.  We cannot stand by and let faceless political bureaucrats mark time when we know we’re going to build these ships anyway.”

“Mississippi’s Gulf Coast is known for its world class shipbuilding. Our shipyards are one of the largest employers of Mississippians and play a critical role in the expansion of our Naval infrastructure. I am happy to work with Congressman Wittman on this bill that will not only serve our shipyards, manufacturers, and nation-wide supply chains, but also protects American’s tax dollars and supports our Marines and sailors with the resources they need,” said Palazzo. “This legislation will give the U.S. Navy a multi-year procurement of amphibious ships, saving the American taxpayer $720 MILLION dollars while expanding the maritime fleet that is so crucial to our national security. I am always looking for ways to protect your hard-earned tax dollars and fight for our armed forces- this bill serves both missions.”

Congressman Rob Wittman represents the First District of Virginia. He serves on the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Armed Services Committee, where he serves as the ranking member of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee.

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