Blumenthal Introduces Bipartisan, Bicameral SHIPS Act

[WASHINGTON, DC] – Today U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) introduced the bipartisan, bicameral SHIPS Act, which would make it the policy of the United States to achieve the Navy’s requirement of 355 ships. Under the Securing the Homeland by Increasing our Power on the Seas (SHIPS) Act, the fleet would be comprised of the optimal mix of platforms, with funding levels subject to annual appropriations. Currently, only 276 ships are in the battle fleet. This legislation mirrors the Navy’s recent force-structure assessment seeking a 355-ship Navy to meet the demands on its forces. This includes an additional 18 attack submarines, from 48 to 66, that will be built in Connecticut. 

“The SHIPS Act reaffirms bipartisan Congressional commitment to strengthening our Navy and securing our seas. I’m proud to join with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to refocus our efforts on achieving this goal, particularly ensuring our undersea capabilities continue to remain one of our greatest asymmetric assets,” said Blumenthal.

This legislation was led by U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS) in the Senate and U.S Representative Rob Wittman (R-VA) in the House of Representatives. The Senate bill is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Thad Cochran (R-MI), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Susan Collins (R-ME), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Angus King (I-ME), David Perdue (R-GA), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Luther Strange (R-AL), and Thom Tillis (R-NC). The House bill is cosponsored by U.S. Representatives Jim Banks (R-IN), Bradley Byrne (R-AL), Liz Cheney (R-WY), Trent Franks (R-AZ), Mike Gallagher (R-WI), Colleen Hanabusa (D-HI), Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH), and Bill Shuster (R-PA).