Blumenthal Statement on Projected Growth for Jobs at Electric Boat in 2017

Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement after Electric Boat’s legislative update this morning, which showcased strong projected growth for jobs at Electric Boat in 2017.

“This positive, strong outlook for job growth at Electric Boat—including 1,350 new hires in Groton—underscores Electric Boat’s continued dedication to our nation’s defense, which only becomes more important with the steady build of Virginia Class submarines, as well as ramp up for the Columbia Class planning and early construction. Connecticut will continue to remain critical to the defense industrial base for years to come, and today’s positive outlook reminds us of the importance for robust job training to ensure that Connecticut residents are ready and able to take advantage of these good and growing job opportunities.”

“The Department of Defense must be more proactive in not just purchasing weapons, but investing in the hard-working men and women who make them‎-- through supporting skill training at places like Three Rivers Community College and Grasso Tech, where EB already has formed a partnership.”

“In my recent meeting with General Mattis, I was very encouraged by his clear appreciation of how essential‎ our undersea warfare superiority is to our national defense. I urged strongly and emphatically that he continue ongoing commitments to both the Virginia Class and Columbia Class programs. I was pleased by his response, and I will be pressing him again at the hearings on his nomination this week.  Submarines are a critical lynchpin of our Armed Forces – nothing exceeds the stealth, strength, and security of our submarine fleet – and I will be fighting in the Senate Armed Services Committee to secure strong funding levels for these technological wonders.”

Blumenthal led efforts in the Senate last year to allow $773.1 million in new funding through a crucial anomaly in the Continuing Resolution for Electric Boat to begin advance work on the lead boat for the Columbia-class. As a member of the Armed Services Committee, Blumenthal worked to secure robust funding for submarines including more than $5 billion for two Virginia Class submarines, including $85 million above the President’s request, and $1.9 billion for the Columbia Class in the FY17 National Defense Authorization Act signed into law last month.

###