Mabus: Protecting Navy shipbuilding

Navy Secretary Ray Mabus has made the protection of shipbuilding a top potential priority in case sequestration remains for the Navy’s FY 2016 budget. But the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee’s defense subcommittee (HAC-D) said something will have to giveway to maintain the desired shipbuilding accounts if the Budget Control Act (BCA) of 2011 (sequestration) continues. “I’m going to do everything I can to protect shipbuilding,” said Mabus in response to questioning from HAC-D chairman Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ). Something will have to give way to maintain desired shipbuilding accounts if sequestration remains, the chairman said. Ships are the most difficult aspect of naval power to reconstitute after budget cuts, Mabus continued. The industrial base needs to be maintained. But Frelinghuysen set the tone. Navy’s portion of the president’s budget request was $13 billion over budget caps established by law. “We will cut the $13 billion with you or without you,” the chairman said. He also requested a list of Navy programs that could be cut or reduced if budget caps remain. The “president’s budget is the minimum required to meet the president’s strategy,” Mabus remarked. “Funding below the president’s budget will require a new strategy,” he said. (Source: Sea Power 02/26/15) Gulf Coast Shipbuilding Note: SECNAV Mabus is a former governor of Mississippi. Huntington Ingalls Industries builds ships for the Navy at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Miss. On March 21, Ingalls Shipbuilding will christen its 10th San Antonio-class Amphibious Transport Dock (LPD 26) and named for former Marine and U.S. Rep. John P. Murtha of Pennsylvania. Murtha’s daughter, Donna, is serving as ship sponsor and will perform the traditional honor of breaking a bottle of American sparkling wine across the ship’s bow at the ceremony.