Congress passes stopgap funding bill, avoiding government shutdown and adding $14B for submarines

Congress passes stopgap funding bill, avoiding government shutdown and adding $14B for submarines
Congress passes stopgap funding bill, avoiding government shutdown and adding $14B for submarines

The bill extends government funding until mid-March.

Navy struggling to contain costs for Columbia-class sub program, says GAO

Navy struggling to contain costs for Columbia-class sub program, says GAO
Navy struggling to contain costs for Columbia-class sub program, says GAO

“The government could be responsible for hundreds of millions in additional construction costs for the lead submarine,” according to the Government Accountability Office.

House narrowly passes NDAA after Democrats balk at culture war amendments

House narrowly passes NDAA after Democrats balk at culture war amendments
House narrowly passes NDAA after Democrats balk at culture war amendments

Many pro-defense Democrats voted against the traditionally bipartisan NDAA, after Republicans added conservative social riders to the bill.

House poised to require ‘100 percent’ ship design from Navy prior to construction

House poised to require ‘100 percent’ ship design from Navy prior to construction
House poised to require ‘100 percent’ ship design from Navy prior to construction

The more specific policy language would close apparent loopholes the Pentagon had been using and force a major change compared to how previous programs had been run.

More than 100 lawmakers call for appropriators to restore Navy’s second Virginia-class sub

More than 100 lawmakers call for appropriators to restore Navy’s second Virginia-class sub
More than 100 lawmakers call for appropriators to restore Navy’s second Virginia-class sub

The letter is the latest sign lawmakers have rejected the Navy’s argument that the cut was a strategic one due to a construction backlog, though some key signatures are missing.

GD chief says Navy’s 1 sub buy won’t impact company short term, but out years less certain

GD chief says Navy’s 1 sub buy won’t impact company short term, but out years less certain
GD chief says Navy’s 1 sub buy won’t impact company short term, but out years less certain

The comments from the General Dynamics chief come on the same day President Joe Biden signed the national security supplemental, which includes billions for the sub industrial base.

Connecticut lawmakers to grill Army, Lockheed about job cuts at Sikorsky helicopter unit

Connecticut lawmakers to grill Army, Lockheed about job cuts at Sikorsky helicopter unit
Connecticut lawmakers to grill Army, Lockheed about job cuts at Sikorsky helicopter unit

“The Connecticut delegation has questions about why, with that [FY24] appropriation in hand, this happened,” said Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Conn.

Top seapower hawk Rep. Courtney rejects Navy’s pitch for 1 Virginia-class sub buy

Top seapower hawk Rep. Courtney rejects Navy’s pitch for 1 Virginia-class sub buy
Top seapower hawk Rep. Courtney rejects Navy’s pitch for 1 Virginia-class sub buy

In “my opinion, the Navy is looking backwards, not forwards, in terms of what’s actually happening in the shipyards with this proposal,” the Democrat said of the Navy’s submarine budget proposal.

Rep. Courtney: Lawmakers cannot ‘fumble the ball’ on getting AUKUS provisions passed

Rep. Courtney: Lawmakers cannot ‘fumble the ball’ on getting AUKUS provisions passed
Rep. Courtney: Lawmakers cannot ‘fumble the ball’ on getting AUKUS provisions passed

A number of lawmakers met with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese this morning on Capitol Hill following the Aussie’s Wednesday meetings and reception at the White House.

Rep. Joe Courtney: US undersea supremacy is only growing stronger

Rep. Joe Courtney: US undersea supremacy is only growing stronger
Rep. Joe Courtney: US undersea supremacy is only growing stronger

In a new op-ed, Rep. Joe Courtney, D-CT., makes the case for why America’s submarine capabilities are still robust.

For AUKUS to work, US needs to drop the ‘arrogance’ on info sharing with allies: Wittman

For AUKUS to work, US needs to drop the ‘arrogance’ on info sharing with allies: Wittman
For AUKUS to work, US needs to drop the ‘arrogance’ on info sharing with allies: Wittman

“We look sort of speciously at our friends… [and] with what we’ve gone through here recently, with security breaches, we should be the last ones to be lecturing somebody else about what they need to do,” the congressman said.

House lawmakers tee up dueling AUKUS sub transfer amendments

House lawmakers tee up dueling AUKUS sub transfer amendments
House lawmakers tee up dueling AUKUS sub transfer amendments

One NDAA amendment attempts to calm potentially rough waters around Virginia-class sub transfers, while the another could reel in that ambition to guard the US industrial base.

House moves to fund Marines’ amphib following heated budget cycle

House moves to fund Marines’ amphib following heated budget cycle
House moves to fund Marines’ amphib following heated budget cycle

Lawmakers’ add has been expected based on the bipartisan chorus of support for a bigger amphib fleet, but it remains a big win for the Marine Corps.

House Dems introduce bill to allow Virginia sub transfer to Aussies

House Dems introduce bill to allow Virginia sub transfer to Aussies
House Dems introduce bill to allow Virginia sub transfer to Aussies

The proposed legislation would begin the process of knocking down key legal hurdles impending the AUKUS security pact.