Good morning:

On Thursday May 22, 2008, the House passed the Fiscal Year 2009 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 5658), which includes $722 million in advanced procurement to requested by Congressman Joe Courtney to accelerate submarine production to two a year starting in 2010.  As you know, Congressman Courtney secured $588 million last year for the advanced procurement of the long lead materials needed to build an additional nuclear submarine in 2011, a year ahead of the Navy’s previous schedule.

This year, Congressman Courtney has continued his advocacy on behalf of the submarine industry. In addition to requesting support for achieving a two submarine a year build rate early in the authorization process, Congressman Courtney offered an amendment during the Seapower Subcommittee markup (May 8) of the NDAA to increase authorization by $300 million and move construction of the additional submarine secured last year from 2011 to 2010, allowing for a staggered build rate of 2-1-2 between 2010 and 2012.   And, during full committee mark-up (May 14), Congressman Courtney joined with House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Duncan Hunter (R-CA) in offering an amendment - the Hunter-Courtney amendment - to add an additional $422 million, for a total of $722 million in the bill, to allow for sustained construction of two submarines a year in both in 2010 and 2011.

The bill also includes several other authorizations importance to Southeastern Connecticut: $46 million to replace Pier 31 at Subase New London, $10 million to accelerate early conceptual design work on the SSBN replacement and $18 million for a Regional Training Institute for the Connecticut National Guard at Camp Rell in Niantic. 

You can find a link to our press release, proving a more detailed summary of the bill and a video of Congressman Courtney’s remarks in support of the bill on the floor, at our website .  In addition, you can find a transcript of his remarks here and a “Dear Colleague” letter Congressman Courtney sent in support of the bill here .

As he did last year, Congressman Courtney will continue to advocate with his colleagues and key leaders in Congress to advocate for southeastern Connecticut’s submarine industry and workforce.  Although this bill is an important step towards the ultimate goal of two subs per year as early as possible, this effort must still make its way through the full authorization and appropriations processes.  Stay tuned for additional updates as we continue to move through the budget process this year. 

Hope everyone had a great Memorial Day weekend,

Neil