Krishnamoorthi, Courtney, and Auchincloss Visit the Naval Submarine Base New London and General Dynamics Electric Boat Shipyard

GROTON, CT – On Monday, Ranking Member Krishnamoorthi of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the U.S. and the Chinese Communist Party and Committee Member Congressman Jake Auchincloss were hosted by Ranking Member Joe Courtney of the House Armed Services Committee Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces at Naval Submarine Base New London and General Dynamics Electric Boat shipyard in Groton, CT and Quonset Point, RI. The trip builds on the Select Committee’s recent hearings and other efforts to strengthen U.S. deterrence against the CCP by revitalizing the American defense industrial base, particularly for shipbuilding and submarines. In recent months, the Select Committee held hearings on the need to strengthen U.S shipbuilding capacity and the defense industrial base overall, as well as a table-top exercise simulating U.S. defense industrial base challenges in the event of an escalating military crisis in the Indo-Pacific.

During the visit, the members discussed topics including the challenges facing the U.S. submarine industrial base and what the Submarine Force is doing to deter the CCP’s aggression in the Indo-Pacific. Additional discussions addressed the urgent need for continued investment in American workforce development programs to facilitate defense industrial base expansion and to advance the AUKUS mission, the trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States formed to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

“I want to thank Ranking Member Courtney for hosting us today as we discussed the essential investments we need to make to expand and modernize our submarine industrial base in order to prevent war with the Chinese Communist Party or any other adversary,” said Ranking Member Krishnamoorthi. “To prevent conflict while protecting the values and interests of the United States and our fellow democracies, it is essential that we continue to invest in our defense industrial base, including shipbuilding and the skilled workforce that is essential to support it, while strengthening vital partnerships such as AUKUS.”

"It was a pleasure to showcase the outstanding work taking place at Electric Boat and SUBASE NEW LONDON. There's no question that to grow our fleet, maintain our nation's unmatched strategic advantage, and deliver on our AUKUS requirements, Congress must continue sending a strong demand signal and redouble investments in our submarine industrial base. Both Reps. Krishnamoorthi and Auchincloss, who are leaders on the Select Committee on China, understand the critical need for strong undersea deterrence and are great allies to that work in Congress,” said Courtney.

“The nuclear submarine fleet is an unmatched strategic asset for America, and an important driver of good jobs for southern New England,” said Congressman Jake Auchincloss. "Congress must prioritize the submarine industrial base.”