(Washington, D.C.)–Congressman Jim Langevin, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, today expressed concern to Defense Secretary Rumsfeld regarding insufficient funding levels in the Administration's proposed Fiscal Year 2006 Budget for shipbuilding and submarine construction - an industry of significant importance to job retention and creation in Rhode Island.

During Rumsfeld's appearance before the Armed Services Committee this afternoon, Langevin inquired about the U.S. military's ability to respond to a number of different threats and cited the low funding projections for subs and shipbuilding as a chief concern.

"I am concerned that our uncertain future in Iraq could incorrectly influence our understanding and expectation of future security threats," Congressman Langevin told Secretary Rumsfeld. "We need to make sure that we are still capable of responding to more conventional threats and that we do not overemphasize one combat scenario at the expense of others. For example, the FY2006 budget's low shipbuilding numbers - including delayed procurement rates for Virginia-class submarines and DD(X) - are particularly worrisome, especially in light of other nations' efforts to increase their naval capabilities. What are you doing to ensure that the QDR [Quadrennial Defense Review] will prepare us to fight the next war instead of simply reacting to the current one?"

Langevin and his committee colleague Congressman Rob Simmons (R- CT) have been pushing a proposal that would provide $600M over 6 years to design other submersible vehicles. Such federal funds would ensure continued, steady employment for Rhode Islanders working at Electric Boat/ General Dynamics.

"Rhode Islanders provide the muscle and design skills to build our state of the art submarines," Langevin added. "A decline in funding for such efforts would have a devastating impact on the local economy. We will continue to urge the Administration and the Defense Department to properly plan for future needs and maintain a responsible schedule for supplying our military with the equipment it needs to successfully carry out their missions."

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