Rep. Calvert Raises Concerns about the State of the Navy Under the Biden Budget

Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42), Ranking Member of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, continues to raise his concerns about President Biden's budget request for the U.S. Navy during the Subcommittee's FY22 Navy and Marine Corps Budget Hearing.

"I recently asked our Navy leadership flat out ‘How are you going to meet the National Defense Strategy with the budget you have been given?' The short answer is – they can't. The Navy's current 30-year shipbuilding plan reflects the National Defense Strategy priority to build a more lethal force," said Calvert. "It outlines the funding required to build the great power competition Navy and sustain the associated industrial base. Simply put, President Biden's budget request undermines our national security and his own military leadership agrees."

Key excerpts from the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on the FY22 United States Navy and Marine Corps Budget:

"Right now, the topline has us being able to provide about 300 ships"

- The Honorable Thomas W. Harker, Acting Secretary of the Navy

"The 355-shipbuilding plan by 2031-2033 was predicated on the assumption that we would have 4.1% growth. 2.1% for inflation and 2% for real growth. If you don't have that growth, above the '21 topline, you can't responsibly grow the fleet"

- Admiral Michael Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations

"We have not been able to get to 355 ships over the last several years and the trajectory to get there would require additional topline"

- The Honorable Thomas W. Harker, Acting Secretary of the Navy

Calvert continued: "Why 355 ships? China has the largest navy in the world, with an overall battle force of approximately 350 ships and submarines including over 130 major surface combatants. According to data compiled by the Navy, as of March 9, 2021 there are 250 operational ships in our fleet. China is expanding its presence in the South China Sea, challenging global norms and threatening our allies and partners."

"The Biden budget surrenders the seas to China, jeopardizes our Sailors and Marines and fails to meet the requirements of the National Defense Strategy."