Joe Courtney’s Double Talk On Submarines
When Given Opportunity To Increase Sub Production Courtney Mysteriously Takes Name Off Amendment
SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, CT – Joe Courtney talks the talk on submarines, but he doesn’t walk the walk. Today, the House Armed Services Committee voted to boost submarine production starting in 2010, but Courtney’s name was mysteriously scratched as sponsor of the amendment.
Today’s amendment would boost national security, and would bring more jobs to Connecticut. Why isn’t Courtney’s name listed as the sponsor of the amendment?
Prior to Joe Courtney taking office, the Navy’s official shipbuilding plan called for one submarine per year through 2011, then two per year beginning in 2012. To much fanfare, Courtney took credit for a Congressional plan enacted last year that would build one additional submarine in either 2010 or 2011. Under the plan favored by Courtney, a total of three subs would be built during the years 2010 and 2011.
Today’s amendment authorizes a fourth submarine during that period by calling for two-subs-per-year in 2010 and 2011.
At the last minute, Courtney decided not to offer the amendment. The job of promoting submarines was left to Representative Duncan Hunter, Republican of California.
“Courtney’s actions are outrageous,” said Sean Sullivan, Republican nominee for Connecticut’s Second district. “Courtney says he is for submarines, but if not for Duncan Hunter of California this boost in Submarines wouldn’t have happened. Here we have an important amendment that boosts national security and would bring needed jobs to Connecticut, and Courtney doesn’t drive the issue. Joe Courtney is the worst kind of politician. He says one thing and does another. “
Sean Sullivan continues to support an immediate boost to submarine production. “We need more submarines for national security, and we need them now,” says Sullivan. Currently, there are only enough submarines to meet 54% of tasking requested by U.S. Combatant Commanders” continues Sullivan, “The Navy’s shipbuilding plan is all wrong. The plan sacrifices submarines to prop up a failing surface ship construction program. That is a mistake. We need a congressman who understands the problem and is willing to fight for what is right.”