[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 119 (Wednesday, July 12, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H3214]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                SUPPORTING U.S. NAVY'S SUBMARINE PROGRAM

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Rhode Island (Mr. Magaziner) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. MAGAZINER. Madam Speaker, as we prepare to consider the National 
Defense Authorization Act, it is vital that we continue robust support 
for the United States Navy's submarine program.
  In recent years, we have seen that the world is still a dangerous 
place. Authoritarian actors all across the world pose a threat to the 
United States, to our democratic allies, and to peaceful people across 
the world.
  Against that backdrop, America's submarine fleet is one of the most 
important advantages that we have in our vital work to make the world 
safe for democracy. Vessels like the Virginia-class fast-attack 
submarines and the upcoming Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines 
are powerful and difficult for our enemies to detect. That makes them 
an essential deterrent that keeps our would-be adversaries from 
committing acts of aggression.
  As we work on the NDAA, the National Defense Authorization Act, it is 
imperative that we continue to fund production of the Virginia- and 
Columbia-class vessels at the Pentagon's recommended levels and that we 
also invest in workforce training, housing, and additional support for 
the thousands of tradesmen and -women in Rhode Island and across the 
country who are building these ships.
  In that spirit, I urge all of my colleagues to approve the amendment 
that I have submitted to direct the Department of Defense to study and 
implement strategies for expanding access to affordable housing for 
tradesmen and -women involved in Navy shipbuilding.
  President Franklin Roosevelt once said that for the world to be safe, 
America must be an ``Arsenal of Democracy.'' Those words continue to be 
true today, particularly when it comes to our vital naval submarine 
program.

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