U.S. Representative Michael Waltz (R-FL), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Readiness, delivered the following opening statement at a hearing on the posture and readiness of the mobility enterprise.
Rep. Waltz's remarks as prepared for delivery:
I want to thank our witnesses for being here today.
I'd also like to associate myself with the comments of the Chairmen and Ranking Member. The health, strength and readiness of the surface fleet is a bipartisan concern and critically important.
Much has been done since 2017. Numerous investigations in the aftermath of major incidents pointed at common themes and challenges across the organization.
The finger was pointed at fatigue, increased demand and high optempo, undermanning, poor materiel condition, a lack of training and low priority on maintenance, among other root problems.
Over the past several years, Congress acted, reports were issued, and recommendations implemented within the Navy to drive reform into a system that was creating unsafe conditions and eroding readiness.
Yet as we sit here today, I am concerned that the Navy has not sufficiently addressed these chronic problems.
I was disheartened to hear that a GAO report issued just last month painted a picture of a fleet that remains overworked and understaffed.
That sailors continue to cite some of the exact same issues and conditions that led to the disasters of 2017 is concerning to say the least.
That same report also detailed a lack of planning and performance data for intermediate level maintenance work, presenting another risk to the readiness of the fleet.
As we are confronted with the potential for high end conflict and adversaries like the Chinese Communist Party and Russia, we cannot afford to admire these issues any longer.
Reform and change take time, I understand that. But here we are, almost 5 years from McCain / FitzGerald.
Today I hope to hear about concrete steps being taken, whether corrective actions are making a difference, and what else we should be doing.
I encourage our witnesses to be candid as they discuss their efforts – and any challenges they face – as they work to improve the Navy's surface readiness.
