Navy budget heading to shredder?

WASHINGTON – Lawmakers are lining up to slam the Navy’s FY-21 budget requests because it calls for a significant cut to shipbuilding, and slows the rate of growth of the fleet over the next five years. A bipartisan group of 17 senators is warning that a decision not request a second Virginia-class submarine would contradict the National Defense Strategy (NDS), weaken defense industrial base, and compromise readiness. It’s a sign the Navy’s proposed shipbuilding budget is experiencing backlash, particularly over its decision not to seek a 10th Block V submarine. Given the bipartisan outrage at the cuts, it appears likely that major changes to budget are in store. The letter protesting the cut sent to Navy Secretary Thomas Modly was drafted by Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and signed by the Senate Armed Services Committee’s top Democrat, Sen. Jack Reed, (D-R.I)., and Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC); Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.). [Connecticut is home to the Newport sub base.] Wicker has introduced legislation called the SHIPS Implementation Act, which proscribes a shipbuilding plan for the Navy. If passed, the Navy would be bound to procure 39 new ships over the next five fiscal years. (Source: Defense News 02/13/20) https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2020/02/13/the-us-navys-budget-looks-headed-for-the-congressional-shredder/