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Letter to Betty McCollum, Chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Defense, and Ken Calvert, Ranking Member - In Support of the Navy's Littoral combat Ship Program

Letter

Date: June 8, 2022
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Defense Government Budget and Spending

Dear Chairwoman McCollum and Ranking Member Calvert,

I write to urge continued support for the Navy's Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Program and request that the Navy maintain the number of Littoral Combat ships currently in operation. As you know, in the Department of Defense (DOD) fiscal year 2023 Budget Request, the Navy proposed reducing the size of its Littoral Combat Ship fleet earlier than originally planned. Yet, Littoral Combat Ships have a proven track record of cost-effective, versatile performance.

Littoral Combat Ships have crucial near-shore capabilities and have been developed and deployed over decades. LCS remains the best choice as a small combatant ship as part of the global U.S. naval strategy, specifically in the U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) where Littoral Combat Ships like the USS Milwaukee have been successfully deployed. The ships have proven to be an important asset to both the Coast Guard and the U.S. Navy with modifications that will continue to ensure they play a valuable role for years to come. Specifically, the Navy's current testing of Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) ship as a forward operating maintenance platform for the LCS in SOUTHCOM.

Given the smaller size of America's fleet, particularly when compared with China, it is vital that we retain our fleet size for the near future. Decommissioning the LCS would be a step in the wrong direction, denying our fleet of the ships' numerous capabilities and cost-savings, particularly when compared with the proposed replacement vessels.

Florida is proud to be home to 8 of these Littoral Combat Ships as they deploy throughout the Atlantic Coast and the Caribbean. The LCS remains an invaluable part of the Navy's broader global strategy and I strongly urge continued funding in the Fiscal Year 2023 Defense Appropriations Bill for the LCS Program.


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