“The final negotiated version of the 2021 NDAA includes the Seapower Subcommittee’s year-long effort to buck the Trump Budget and fully restore construction of the second Virginia-class submarine, it sets course on the decades-long journey to see the new Columbia-class program through to completion, and it provides steadfast support to our men and women in uniform and to eastern Connecticut’s manufacturing sector,” said Congressman Courtney.

“Over the last ten years, sworn testimony before the Congress from combatant commanders, outside defense experts and Navy leadership has been unanimous—the Navy needs more submarines,” Chairman Courtney said.

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“To join U.S. Navy leadership and watch as 2,500 pounds of molten alloy was poured to create the first propulsor mold for the Columbia program was a powerful reminder of just how far we’ve come since 2008, and of the exciting new opportunities ahead,” said Chairman Courtney.

“My office’s phones and email have blown up with hundreds of constituents who have already been impacted by recent slowdowns at USPS,” said Congressman Courtney.

“I’ve been proud to work on a bipartisan basis to restore the missing submarine to the 2021 NDAA, and to ensure we passed a progressive defense bill that supports the Columbia-class program, and does right by our men and women in uniform in eastern Connecticut and all around the globe," said Courtney.