WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01), Ranking Member on the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, and Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02), Chairman on the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, introduced legislation establishing that the combat forces of the Navy shall not include less than 31 operational amphibious battle force ships.
“I am proud to introduce this legislation with Representative Courtney to ensure the Navy maintains no less than 31 operational amphibious battle force ships,” said Rep. Rob Wittman. “The current path, as exhibited in the insufficient 30-Year Shipbuilding Plan, would decrease the amphibious fleet to just 25 traditional amphibious ships in the next five years, entirely undermining the ability of the Marine Corps to serve as the emergency response force our nation wants and needs, and failing to secure the flexibility and utility that the Marine Corps contributes to the Joint Force. We must reverse this notable reduction and put our Navy and Marine Corps back on a path driven by strategy to secure the national defense of the United States and our global interests.”
“We’ve got a solid history on the Seapower Subcommittee of working across the aisle to ensure our Navy remains unrivaled above and below the waves, and this is no different,” said Chairman Courtney. “The bipartisan 2023 Defense Authorization and budget process is officially underway, and addressing the Marine Corps’ force structure to ensure they’re fully outfitted to overcome tomorrow’s challenges is going to remain a top priority of our Subcommittee. Our bipartisan bill will help shape the ongoing conversation by setting a clear direction and future baseline for the Navy’s fleet of amphibious ships, and I’m grateful to join Rep. Wittman to help introduce it.”
To read more on this legislation from USNI, click here.
The introduction of this legislation follows a March 25th, 2022, letter Rep. Wittman led with Rep. Gallagher (WI-08) to General David Berger asking for the Marine Corps to provide confirmation that Force Design 2030 will still require a mix of 31 traditional amphibious vessels, made up of 10 LHA/LHDs and 21 LPDs. To read this letter, click here.
To read General David Berger’s letter from April 7th, 2022, confirming this amount, click here.
