Top House Democrat pushes Hegseth for shipbuilding plan

Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., did not hold back during a fiery House Appropriations Committee hearing on Tuesday, where she confronted Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the nation’s lagging shipbuilding capacity. DeLauro accused the Defense Department (DOD) of failing to present a clear and transparent plan to address the growing concerns over China’s shipbuilding capabilities, which are estimated to be 230 times greater than those of the U.S. She also criticized the Biden administration for lacking transparency on this issue.

DeLauro focused on the troubling shortfall between the Navy’s current production capacity and its projected needs for the future. She questioned Hegseth about the status of submarine production and whether the current capacity is sufficient to bridge the gap between the current fleet size and the projected need. Hegseth admitted that there is a gap but assured that they are working to close it.

However, DeLauro pressed for detailed data to support Hegseth’s claims, stating that there is no information or data to substantiate the progress being made. She demanded a clear plan for the future and expressed concerns about reports that the Pentagon plans to shift funding for the Columbia-class submarine program, which could hinder shipbuilders’ ability to meet production demands.

Hegseth defended the department’s investment in submarine programs, citing an increase in funding for the Columbia-class and Virginia-class submarines. He assured DeLauro that Pentagon officials are in regular communication with shipyards to address their needs and shortfalls. However, DeLauro raised concerns about missed deadlines for submarine contracts and urged the Defense Department to provide a written plan outlining their submarine production strategy.

The U.S. Navy’s shipbuilding capacity has been in decline since the Cold War, with the current fleet size well below the long-term requirements outlined in recent Navy force structure assessments. Shipyards like Electric Boat and Huntington Ingalls Industries are facing workforce and supply chain challenges, making it difficult to meet the demand for new submarines.

DeLauro’s tough questioning highlighted the urgent need for a clear and comprehensive plan to address the nation’s shipbuilding capacity issues. As the U.S. strives to maintain its naval superiority in the face of growing threats, transparency and strategic planning will be crucial to closing the gap and ensuring a strong and robust shipbuilding industry.