The Day: A Freshman with Chops

Editorial

Funding aimed at ramping up submarine production to two ships per year sooner than the current 2012 target date has gained approval from the House Appropriations Committee, a key victory that significantly improves chances of the funding gaining final approval.

Submarine warfare experts have argued that national security could be jeopardized if the current one-submarine-per-year construction schedule is not ramped up. Increasing submarine production would also be good news for Electric Boat and the local economy.

U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, played a vital role in fighting for the funding. During the 2006 campaign, Rep. Courtney's opponent tried to make the case that the Democrat, if elected, would not have the political chops to protect the state's submarine industry. He has proved that argument was wrong.

He persuaded the House leadership to give him a seat on the House Armed Services Committee, a plum assignment for a freshman lawmaker, and within that committee he serves on the Seapower and Expeditionary Forces and the Military Readiness subcommittees. Those assignments placed him in a position to fight for the increased funding.

In an astute political move, Rep. Courtney sought and gained the support of powerful Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Jack Murtha, D-Pa., for increased submarine production.

The $588 million approved by the Appropriations Committee is now part of the 2008 National Defense Authorization spending bill and would be used for the advanced procurement of items needed to increase production of the Virginia class. If adopted into law, the authorization could lead to two-submarines-per-year production as soon as 2009.

The funding is far from assured, however. It still has to survive the appropriations process and gain full House approval. It would also have to be accepted by the Senate, where Connecticut's two veteran senators, Christopher J. Dodd and Joe Lieberman, would be responsible for attracting the necessary votes.

The current slow pace of construction threatens the continued erosion of the expert work force needed to build submarines. The one-submarine approach could also lead to the submarine force dropping to 40 ships, or less, sometime in the next decade, a number that could imperil national security.

Submarines, with their intelligence-gathering capability and the ability to stealthily deliver special operation forces where needed, can play a vital role in dealing with the asymmetric nature of the terrorism conflict. They are also a key component to any conventional war planning.

Increased production deserves congressional support.

Editorial, The Day, July 27, 2007