[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 5 (Tuesday, January 25, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S453]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. NELSON of Florida (for himself, Mr. Martinez, Mr. 
        Sessions, and Mr. Allen):
  S. 145. A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to require the 
naval forces of the Navy to include not less than 12 operational 
aircraft carriers; to the Committee on Armed Services.
  Mr. NELSON of Florida. Mr. President, I feel strongly that any 
reduction in the size of the Nation's carrier fleet is not in the best 
interest of national security. Therefore, I am introducing legislation 
to require the Navy to include not less than 12 operational aircraft 
carriers. I am pleased to be joined by my co-sponsors, Senator 
Martinez, Senator Allen, and Senator Sessions.
  America's aircraft carrier fleet has played and continues to play a 
critical role in the global war on terrorism. Carrier based strike, 
electronic warfare, and reconnaissance aircraft, and even more 
importantly, special operations forces have provided the most 
responsive and capable support throughout operations in the Gulf 
region. Nothing has changed in the strategic environment to suggest 
that America is more, or as secure with eleven carriers as we are with 
twelve. The operational tempo of our aircraft carriers has never been 
higher and it is hard to imagine that it will slow any time soon.
  The range of strategic threats and opportunities that face the Nation 
at this moment in the war on terror does not support the idea that we 
can reduce our carrier fleet without creating significant and 
unavoidable risk to our global reach and sustainability. I urge my 
colleagues to join with us to ensure the Navy's global flexibility and 
striking power. Cutting our carrier fleet now increases strategic risk 
and reduces our combat power and capability, all for relatively small 
budgetary savings.
  I look forward to working with Chairman Warner and Senator Levin to 
gain the Armed Services Committee's approval of this legislation, and 
its passage by the full Senate. Identical legislation is being 
introduced in the House by Representative Ander Crenshaw, and I look 
forward to working with my colleagues in both houses to see that this 
vital national security legislation reaches the President's desk.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                 S. 145

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. REQUIREMENT FOR 12 OPERATIONAL AIRCRAFT CARRIERS 
                   WITHIN NAVAL FORCES OF THE NAVY.

       Section 5062 of title 10, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsections (b) and (c) as subsections 
     (c) and (d), respectively; and
       (2) by inserting after subsection (a) the following new 
     subsection (b):
       ``(b) The naval combat forces of the Navy shall include not 
     less than 12 operational aircraft carriers. For purposes of 
     this subsection, an operational aircraft carrier includes an 
     aircraft carrier that is temporarily unavailable for 
     worldwide deployment due to routine or scheduled maintenance 
     or repair.''.
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