Subcommittee Markup of the National Defense Authorization Act for FY22
Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces – House Armed Services Committee
July 28th, 2021
Subcommittee Leaders:
- Chairman – Representative Courtney (D-CT 2nd District)
- Ranking Member – Representative Wittman (R-VA 1st District)
The hearing to markup H.R.4350 the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for the Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) began with Chairman Courtney thanking the subcommittee members for their bipartisan effort to help the nation’s military. Chairman Courtney described that the bipartisan National Seabase Defense Fund (NSFD) provided data that the Columbia class submarine program has saved $1.5 billion or $100 million per boat. That is the exact amount of cost for the second DDG destroyer that the subcommittee’s mark recommends. The Chairman and other members of the subcommittee expressed their full support for the Virginia and Columbia submarine program.
Chairman Courtney further expressed that the mark recommends continued support for the KC-46 refueling tanker program and B-21 long-range strike bomber. The mark also supports a robust inventory of C-130H tactical lift aircraft, and no less than 287 C-130s as well as new propellers and engines within those aircraft. The Chairman finished his opening remarks by expressing the need for full funding for the fifth and final plan national security multi-mission vessel for support of our nation’s maritime academies.
Ranking member Wittman expressed the need for funding our nation’s military capabilities as countries such as China have expanded their air force and are catching up to western countries. The magnitude of China’s air force expansion is having a major impact on tactical air strategy around the world. Ranking member Wittman went on to state that ship construction and weapons procurement programs should be included in the markup of the NDAA.
Representative Carl (R-AL 1st District) expressed to the subcommittee the need for the EPF medical ship. Representative Carl described how the EPF medical ship significantly expands the United States Navy’s transportation and medical abilities. Following Rep. Carl, Ranking member Wittman expressed support for the Office of Secretary of Defense’s continued effort to purchase amphibious ships, and that savings from 4 ships would be around $1 billion.
Representative Golden (D-ME 2nd District) reinforced the subcommittee’s point that has been made in past hearings of the need to follow the 2-ship procurement plan per year. Rep. Golden stated his gratitude that there is a multi-year contract that now goes past FY23 that will provide long-term stability for shipyard jobs and security for the nation. Rep. Golden described how preservation of shipbuilding jobs and focus on creating a new shipbuilding workforce is critical for national security.
Representative Luria (D-VA 2nd District) gave one of the final comments before the markup was put to a vote by stating that there is a serious challenge moving forward with ship decommissioning. Rep. Luria was concerned with the decommissioning of ships happening at a higher pace than what was expected when these ships were created.
The subcommittee voted on the adoption of the unblocked package as an amendment to H.R.4350 and it has passed. The adoption of the mark to H.R. 4350 was voted on and was passed. The subcommittee passed a motion to report the mark as amended favorably to the full committee.
For a recording of the full subcommittee hearing, please use the following link.