Congressmen propose additional $422 million to fund submarines, Norwich Bulletin

Congressmen propose additional $422 million to fund submarines

By Michael Gannon

Norwich Bulletin

May 15, 2008

U.S. Reps. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, and Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., the ranking Republican on the House Armed Services Committee, have teamed up to more than double last week’s authorization bill for advance procurement of Virginia-class submarines.

The Hunter-Courtney amendment, made to the Fiscal 2009 National Defense Authorization Act, would increase the House’s funding proposal from $300 million to $722 million. It would allow construction of two subs per year beginning in 2010.

The measure must pass through the Appropriations Committee and the full House of Representatives. If it passes, it must be reconciled with a Senate version of the bill that allows $79 million for advance procurement.

“While the appropriations process has a long way to go, this is a truly bipartisan show of force in support of the Virginia-class submarine program,” Courtney said. Hunter could not be reached for comment.

If it survives intact, it would allow the Navy to start construction on two submarines per year in 2010 and 2011. It would double the production now at Electric Boat in Groton.

Sean Sullivan, the Republican challenging Courtney in the fall, sent out a press release early Wednesday accusing Courtney of talking about supporting submarines but taking his name off the amendment at the last minute. Sullivan later said he may have misunderstood the process for making an amendment, but credit for the money belongs to Hunter.

“The Sullivan campaign has demonstrated yet another credibility problem and an inability to grasp the federal legislative process,” Courtney spokesman Brian Farber said.

Reach Michael Gannon at 425-4231 or at mgannon@norwichbulletin.com