[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 24 (Tuesday, February 3, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E96-E97]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING THE SERVICE OF JOHN PHILLIPS MacNAUGHTON, JR.

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 3, 2026

  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, a few days ago the U.S. House of 
Representatives--and the House Armed Services Committee--bid farewell 
to one of its most invaluable, talented, professional staff experts: 
Mr. John Phillips MacNaughton, Jr.
  At the end of January, Phil, as he is known, completed 30 years of 
public service to our Nation. That service began as a plebe entering 
the U.S. Naval Academy in 1996, continued as a naval aviator who flew 
missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as missions all over the 
world, and then transitioned to Capitol Hill, where he worked as a 
staff member at the Navy Office of Legislative Affairs and finally as a 
director on the Armed Services Committee. As so many in the Navy and 
Congress can attest, our country benefited from his experience, 
knowledge, judgement and wisdom at every post he was assigned to. He 
retired from the U.S. Navy Reserve holding the rank of Commander and 
received well deserved commendations and medals for his outstanding 
service.

[[Page E97]]

  Mr. Speaker, as both the Chair and Ranking Member of the Seapower and 
Projection Forces Subcommittee to which Phil devoted much of his time 
on the Hill, I had the privilege of seeing up close his work in action. 
The Seapower Subcommittee has a long tradition of bipartisan success, 
thanks in large part to Phil's ability to rise above partisan 
squabbling and work with Members and staff from both sides of the 
aisle. When Phil first came to the committee, Congressman Ike Skelton, 
the 14th Chair of the Armed Services Committee, took him under his wing 
and gave him an education on how to successfully navigate the sprawling 
annual task of passing the National Defense Authorization Act. He could 
not have learned from a better teacher.
  At Seapower, Phil diligently followed the north star of the 
Constitution's mandate in Article One, Section 8, Clause 13, that 
``Congress shall provide and maintain a Navy''. He recognized, as did 
the founders, that the United States is a maritime Nation and ensuring 
a strong fleet is essential to our success and national security. 
During his time, the National Defense Authorization Act plussed up Navy 
shipbuilding every year above the budgets submitted by Presidents Bush, 
Obama, Trump 1.0, Biden, and Trump 2.0. Programs at the high end of 
complexity, such as the Columbia and Virginia class submarines, and at 
the lower end, like supply ships and the maritime training ships, all 
grew because of Phil's work.
  In 2023, Phil was at the epicenter of what could be described as the 
pinnacle of his Congressional service, namely, passing the AUKUS 
legislative authorities which brought that critical security agreement 
for Australia, the U.K. and the U.S. to life. Operating under a very 
tight legislative timeline, Phil tirelessly worked with House and 
Senate committees--many outside of the Armed Services Committees--as 
well as the Pentagon, State Department and the Embassies of Australia 
and the U.K. to ensure that all necessary legal authorities fell into 
place when the measure was signed into law in December 2023.
  Mr. Speaker, Ambassador Kevin Rudd from Australia described Phil's 
work as follows:

       Mr. MacNaughton played an integral role in drafting and 
     shepherding through the groundbreaking AUKUS authorizing 
     legislation in 2023. Over the course of his time working with 
     our Embassy, he has shown deep expertise and incredible work 
     ethic to help take AUKUS where it is today. He has helped to 
     strengthen the bilateral relationship between our countries 
     and advance our Alliance collaboration at a critical 
     strategic moment. He is a much-valued friend of Australia.
       H.E. Dr. Kevin Rudd AC, Australia's Ambassador to the 
     United States.

  As Phil departs, it can truly be said that his work here on Capitol 
Hill made a difference, and over time as subs and ships are launched, 
and our alliance with Australia and the U.K. deepens and grows, he can 
look back with great satisfaction for time well spent.
  To him, his wife Micki, his children Cooper, Jack, and Parker: I wish 
them all the best on their next chapter in life and thank them 
sincerely for being part of Phil's amazing work on behalf of our 
Nation.

                          ____________________