Trent Kelly: Defense Authorization Bill Will 'Reiterate Our Commitment To A Strong And Capable Navy'

5 months ago

During a House Armed Services Committee markup meeting before the Congressional recess, Rep. Trent Kelly (R-MS) spoke about the FY26 Defense Authorization Act.

Transcript

00:00...of all amendments to the subcommittee print has concluded.

00:03Chair recognizes the subcommittee, the gentleman from Mississippi, the chairman, Mr. Kelly,

00:10for any comments he would like to make.

00:12Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

00:14I'll start by thanking the members of the subcommittee whose dedicated effort and committed engagement

00:18made possible the strong bipartisan sea power and projection forces mark that we have today.

00:24This tense global moment presents us with a stark reminder of how critical our naval forces are

00:29to national security, international order, and freedom of navigation.

00:34From the Red Sea to the Arctic and to the expanses of the Indo-Pacific, our adversaries are increasingly brazen.

00:40In the face of this test to our global might, America's ability to project power and to do so forcefully

00:46and without hesitation is more important than ever.

00:49This mark continues the important work begun with the investments from reconciliation

00:53to assure that America's Navy and projection forces remain the strongest, best equipped,

00:58and most formidable on the planet.

01:00This is the aim of the Sea Power Mark.

01:03In addition to the Virginia-class submarine, two destroyers, TAO oilers, and transformational

01:09unmanned vessels provided for by reconciliation, this Sea Power Mark procures the third Columbia-class

01:16submarine, an additional Virginia-class submarine, and one anti-submarine warfare ship.

01:21Additionally, we are making sure that the long-overdue new sea lift vessels will be made in the USA.

01:27To support continued procurement of critical programs, the mark supports advanced procurement

01:32for future Columbia-class submarines, Virginia-class submarines, as well as completion of prior-year

01:38ships, including CVNs, SSN-774, and TAGOS.

01:43The mark also invests in the ability of the carrier wing to project power in the skies,

01:48funding four E-2Ds and three MQ-25s, and supporting future unmanned carrier aviation control systems.

01:56We also provide for additional procurement of Sona buoys beyond the funds in reconciliation

02:01to meet our anti-submarine warfare requirements around the globe.

02:04Further, we are raising the air-refueling aircraft floor to 504 aircraft by 2027 to reflect demands

02:12for air-refueling and maintaining the inventory requirement of 271 C-130 aircraft needed for

02:18intra-theater airlift.

02:20Together with the B-21 and C-130J aircraft in reconciliation, the committee is sending a

02:26signal of strong support for airborne force projection.

02:29And speaking of strong signals, this year's Sea Power Mark advances the work from the Speed Act

02:34It includes critical reforms to Navy's senior technical authority that will help to prevent

02:39the original sins in ship design and limit design changes during the ship construction.

02:45As I wrap up, I want to reiterate my appreciation for the members of my subcommittee, and especially

02:49my good friend, ranking member Joe Courtney, whose leadership has been key throughout the process.

02:55I also want to thank the committee staff, Kyle, Kelly, Phil, and Abby, and my personal staff,

03:01Samaj, Shields, and our fellow Bobby.

03:03This Sea Power and Projection Forces Mark is an opportunity to finish the important work

03:08we started in reconciliation, to reiterate our commitment to a strong and capable Navy,

03:13and to deliver our own promises to the brave servicemen and women who wear the uniform.

03:17I urge all members on the committee to support this mark.

03:20Mr. Chairman, with that, I yield back.

03:21Mr. Chairman, with that, I yield back.

03:22Mr. Chairman, with that, I yield back.

03:23Mr. Chairman, with that, I yield back.

03:24Mr. Chairman, with that, I yield back.

03:25Mr. Chairman, with that, I yield back.

03:26Mr. Chairman, with that, I yield back.

03:27Mr. Chairman, with that, I yield back.

03:28Mr. Chairman, with that, I yield back.

03:29Mr. Chairman, with that, I yield back.

03:30Mr. Chairman, with that, I yield back.

03:31Mr. Chairman, with that, I yield back.

03:32Mr. Chairman, with that, I yield back.

03:33Mr. Chairman, with that, I yield back.

03:34Mr. Chairman, with that, I yield back.

03:35Mr. Chairman, with that, I yield back.

03:36Mr. Chairman, with that, I yield back.

03:37Mr. Chairman, with that, I yield back.

Trent Kelly: Defense Authorization Bill Will 'Reiterate Our Commitment To A Strong And Capable Navy'

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