“Thank you Mr. Chairman.  The Seapower and Expeditionary Forces subcommittee, working in our traditional bipartisan manner, recommends a total of $44 billion in procurement and $18.9 billion in research and development funds for the Department of the Navy in fiscal year 2010.  Additionally, the subcommittee recommends $401.9 million for the national defense sealift responsibilities of the Maritime Administration of the Department of Transportation.

 “This recommendation is based on the principles of capability and affordability.  For affordability, the subcommittee recommends multi-year procurement authority for both the F/A18 series aircraft and DDG 51 destroyer programs.  The recommendation also includes additional funding for the F/A 18 series aircraft and DDG 51 programs to contract for materiel in economic order quantity. 

 “This authority saves taxpayer dollars by purchasing items in quantity at a lower overall price.  For capability the recommendation sets the path for a 313 ship Navy.  This recommendation supports the re-start of the DDG 51 program, authorizes one submarine this year and the funding necessary to build two submarines per year starting next year, funds three Littoral Combat Ships, fully funds the research and development efforts needed on the next generation cruiser and the next generation submarine, and makes a strong statement on the committee’s position regarding the naval strike fighter inventory. 

 “This recommendation reflects a strong plan to recapitalize our Fleet and repopulate our air wings.
 
 “The recommendation supports our combat Marines by authorizing the funding for equipment necessary to support combat operations and force protection.  In addition, in the full committee mark-up of the Overseas Contingency Fund, the Seapower and Expeditionary Forces Subcommittee working with the Air and Land Subcommittee have recommended to the Chairman the funding necessary for procurement of the All Terrain Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles (M-ATV) which will save lives in Afghanistan, just as the MRAP did in Iraq.

 “In addition to the multi-year procurement authority for the F/A 18 aircraft and the DDG 51 the recommendation contains a provision, which I refer to as the ‘take it or leave it provision’ for the Littoral Combat Ship.  This provision provides that no more the $460 million will be spent on procurement costs for purchasing the vessels.  The provision provides that if the Secretary of the Navy is unable to enter into contracts to purchase these vessels inside the $460 million figure that the Secretary may use $80 million of the funding to build the detailed technical drawings and data packages necessary to bid the vessels to other shipyards. 

 “Fiscal year 2010 is a make or break year for the LCS programs.  This provision will determine if the prime contractors are committed to building 55 of these vessels or not. It is my hope that they are, but if they are not the Navy needs to be ready to rebid the ships immediately. 

 “These ships are the future of mine warfare for the Navy; they are needed right now in the Persian Gulf and other troubled spots in the world.  This program needs to get on track, build affordable ships and deliver them rapidly.  This provision sets the stage for that success.

 “Mr. Chairman, that is the summary of the Seapower and Expeditionary Forces subcommittee recommendation.  The recommendation was put together with close cooperation and support from the Ranking Member.  I appreciate his input and look forward to working with him through the conference process.  Thank you Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.”