Hearings to examine the posture of the Department of the Navy in review of the Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2026 and the Future Years Defense Program; to be immediately followed by a closed session in SVC-217.

Armed Services Committee

2025-06-10

Source: Congress.gov

Summary

The committee convened to discuss the posture of the United States Navy and Marine Corps, the fiscal year 2026 budget request, and various operational and readiness challenges.[ 00:23:52 ]

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[ 00:37:22 ]

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 The discussion covered critical issues such as naval readiness, shipbuilding, recruitment, and the controversial deployment of military personnel for domestic law enforcement.[ 00:24:39 ]

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Themes

Recruitment and Workforce

The Navy has seen significant improvement in its recruiting numbers, on track to meet its fiscal year 2025 goals, which are the highest in 20 years.[ 00:24:13 ]

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 This success is attributed to a renewed focus on warfighting rather than divisive policies.[ 00:24:19 ]

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 Admiral Kilby reported exceeding recruiting goals, which is helping to reduce the 22,950 current "gaps at sea" by the end of 2026. The Marine Corps consistently meets its recruiting goals through accountability and offering the opportunity to "earn the title Marine."[ 01:36:01 ]

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 However, workforce challenges remain in shipbuilding, particularly regarding experienced workers and training, with Secretary Phelan noting that foreign shipyards exhibit more advanced training and efficiency.[ 01:18:15 ]

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Shipbuilding and Industrial Base

Chairman Wicker expressed strong disappointment with the administration's fiscal year 2026 budget request, which proposes a drastic reduction in the shipbuilding account from $37 billion to $20.8 billion.[ 00:25:37 ]

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 He criticized the absence of funding for new destroyers and Virginia-class submarines, warning that this destabilizes the industry and jeopardizes recovery efforts.[ 00:26:13 ]

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 The Columbia-class program is underfunded by $4 billion and faces pervasive delays due to issues like single-source suppliers and productivity.[ 00:27:45 ]

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 The Navy is currently producing Virginia-class submarines at 1.1 per year, aiming for 2.33 within 10 years to meet AUKUS commitments. Secretary Phelan stressed that rebuilding the maritime industrial base is a national security imperative requiring a "whole of government approach."

Amphibious Fleet Readiness

The amphibious fleet's readiness is a significant concern, described as being in "abysmal condition" with only 13 out of 32 ships seaworthy as of March, falling far short of the statutorily required 31-ship minimum and 80% readiness rate. This low readiness, currently at 41%, poses a considerable risk to combatant commanders. Admiral Kilby acknowledged that amphibious ships are performing below the overall Navy readiness rates, with a goal of reaching 80%.

Military Deployment in Los Angeles

Senators Kaine and Blumenthal raised serious concerns about the president's deployment of National Guard and active-duty Marines to quell protests in Los Angeles without the governor's request and over his objections.[ 00:55:49 ]

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 They viewed this as a dangerous precedent that undermines civil rights, the Posse Comitatus Act, and the military's apolitical reputation. General Smith confirmed that Marines receive crowd control training but lack arrest authority, with their mission focused on protecting federal property and personnel. Senator Cotton, conversely, defended the deployment as a necessary response to civil disorder that local law enforcement could not control and the governor refused to address.

Munitions Stockpiles and Production

Concerns were voiced by Senators Fischer and King regarding the depletion of munitions stockpiles due to ongoing operations in the Red Sea, with missiles being expended faster than they are produced.[ 00:56:38 ]

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 Secretary Phelan and Admiral Kilby acknowledged the issue, emphasizing the critical need to fully fund the industrial base, diversify suppliers, and explore innovative manufacturing techniques like 3D printing.

"Right to Repair" and Intellectual Property

Senator Warren advocated for the Navy to secure "right to repair" capabilities and control over intellectual property in acquisition contracts, citing instances of costly contractor-only repairs and lack of Navy access to crucial data.[ 01:28:03 ]

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 Secretary Phelan strongly supported this concept, calling the current situation "crazy" and expressing willingness to collaborate with Congress on relevant legislation.

Naval Aviation Challenges

The Navy's aviation capabilities face significant challenges, including reliance on an aging Super Hornet fleet, reduced orders for F-35s, and delays in the F-8XX sixth-generation fighter program.[ 00:29:42 ]

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 The operational strain on the aging fleet was underscored by the recent loss of three F-818s during a single deployment.[ 00:29:52 ]

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Tone of the Meeting

The meeting's tone was predominantly one of concern and criticism, particularly regarding budget shortfalls and readiness, with committee members expressing disappointment and a sense of urgency.[ 00:25:37 ]

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 There was strong bipartisan agreement on the need to improve shipbuilding, maintenance, and workforce development. However, a notable partisan division emerged concerning the deployment of military personnel in Los Angeles, leading to sharp exchanges and differing interpretations of presidential authority and the military's domestic role. The military witnesses maintained a professional and responsive demeanor, acknowledging the challenges while affirming their commitment to addressing them.

Participants

Transcript

Thank you.   Thank you.
This morning, the committee welcomes John Phelan, Secretary of the Navy, Admiral James Kilby, Acting Chief of Naval Operations, and General Eric Smith, Commandant of the Marine Corps.  We're grateful for their presence here today.   I want to congratulate the Navy for turning a corner.  Recruiting numbers are up significantly and the Navy is on track to meet its fiscal year 2025 recruiting goal.  This is especially significant because the goal is higher than it has been in 20 years.   Notably, the department has shifted focus from divisive policies such as climate change and DEI.  Renewed focus on war fighting and service contributes to these recent recruiting successes.  This positive momentum provides an opportunity to raise recruiting standards and attract the highest caliber of war fighters our nation requires.  In fact, if these recruitment trends continue, we could end up with too few ships for our sailors.   Though we're making some improvements, Navy shipbuilding remains in an abysmal condition overall.  And we're going to talk about that today.  The previous administration tended to scapegoat industry.   But the current administration is problem solving, canceling redundant contracts and reducing bureaucratic layers.  President Trump's executive orders on federal acquisition reform, drawing from proposals in the FORGED Act, are streamlining procurement to maximize every defense dollar.  The FORGED Act   would empower the Navy to buy smarter and innovate faster, and I expect to see these provisions in this year's National Defense Authorization Act.  The request falls far short of what we need to protect our country, though.  I must say I am deeply disappointed with the administration's fiscal year 2026 budget request for the Navy.
In particular, I'm disturbed about the shipbuilding account, which plummeted to $20.8 billion from last year's $37 billion.  $20.8 billion.   down from last year's $37 billion.  This shortfall reflects efforts to game the budget in anticipation of congressional reconciliation funds, which were intended as supplemental, not a substitute.  I'm alarmed that this budget request does not include the procurement of a new destroyer.  For several years now, it has been the practice to request two destroyers per year,   with Congress adding a third in the odd-numbered year.  The pattern is simple.  Two ships, then three ships, alternating each year.  This provides orders to the shipyards to get us closer to the statutorily required 355 ships required by statute.  This year, funds were meant to cover the odd year.   from reconciliation, additional third ships for 2027 and 2029.  They were not meant to replace the regular annual two-ship request.  This budget ignores this congressional intent.   Intent failing to include two destroyers in this year's budget request destabilizes industry, shows bad faith, and slows our shipbuilding efforts.  Equally troubling is the omission of any Virginia-class submarine procurements.  Here as well, the administration is relying on the one boat   proposed in reconciliation.  This would upend the multi-year negotiations that presume nine boats over five years instead of eight.  It jeopardizes industrial-based recovery.   Moreover, the Columbia-class program, critical for strategic deterrence, is underfunded by $4 billion.
The number relies on unapproved authorities for incremental funding.  The Shipbuilder Accountability and Workforce Support Initiative, SAWS, would enable two Virginia-class and one Columbia-class submarine annually.   If we do saws, we could do two Virginias and one Columbia class each year.   Yet OMB opposes this and has created the crisis we now face.  There's still time to implement SAWS, and I urge action to avoid further damage.  The absence of Constellation-class frigates in the budget also raises serious questions.  We'll discuss that during Q&A.  Last year, we halted new procurements because of design instability.   This year, the omission of two frigates signals severe problems with the program.

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