SECNAV Del Toro Updates Congress on Impact of Continuing Resolution

WASHINGTON— Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro attended a closed briefing at the Capitol with the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense. The session, chaired by Hon. Ken Calvert (CA-41) and Ranking Member Rep. Betty McCollum (MN-4), addressed a $1.95 billion funding request for submarines authorized for Fiscal Year 2024.

During the briefing, Secretary Del Toro highlighted the contributions of thousands of Sailors, Marines, civilians, and their families stationed globally. He underscored the significance of submarine acquisitions amid fiscal constraints.

“Our submarines truly are the apex predators of the sea, both technically and quantitatively superior to any submarines fielded by our adversaries—the People’s Republic of China and Russia,” stated Del Toro. “Submarines offer our Navy and nation a critical advantage, making them our top acquisition priority.”

Del Toro has been advocating for strengthening the maritime industrial base and securing funding to meet the Navy’s acquisition goals. To ensure fiscal responsibility, the Navy has established an independent Naval Cost Agency to improve cost estimations. Additionally, a Maritime Industrial Base program has been created to manage funding for the industrial base.

The Navy is also enhancing ship design processes, investing in modern shipyard facilities, and collaborating with industry partners to distribute large-scale work to various shipyards. The implementation of additive manufacturing aims to reduce the time required to build critical components and alleviate supply chain pressures.

“I am working with cabinet members, industry leaders, academia, state and local governments, and Congress to restore our nation’s essential maritime capabilities. Over the past three years, I’ve visited every shipyard and met with every shipyard CEO, President, and worker building our ships,” Del Toro emphasized. “I will remain unsatisfied until both commercial and naval shipbuilding are restored.”

The Navy’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget request includes substantial investments in recruiting, quality of life, and the ships, submarines, and aircraft necessary to enhance maritime dominance. “We must build one Columbia-Class submarine and two Virginia-Class submarines annually by 2028,” said Del Toro. “By 2032, this number should increase to one Columbia-Class submarine and 2.33 Virginia-Class submarines annually.”

Del Toro also warned that further fiscal constraints could jeopardize the Australia, United Kingdom, and United States (AUKUS) partnership.

The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense is a standing subcommittee within the United States House Committee on Appropriations.