Two U.S. lawmakers have unveiled a bill that would make it the policy of the United States to achieve the U.S. Navy’s requirement of 355 ships.
Announced by U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Congressman Rob Wittman, R-Va., the “Securing the Homeland by Increasing our Power on the Seas (SHIPS) Act” would bring the navy fleet to desired numbers.
“We need a strong Navy to project American power and secure our nation’s interests around the globe,” Wicker said.
“The Navy has set a clear requirement for 355 ships – an objective that is achievable in the coming years with prudent planning and sufficient resources. Building up our fleet is a national project and should be a source of national pride. By establishing the 355 ship goal as national policy, the ‘SHIPS Act’ will keep us focused on this critical endeavor.”
“My objective as Seapower chairman in this year’s NDAA is to send a strong signal that we intend to grow our Fleet to 355 ships,” Wittman said.
Wicker and Wittman serve as Chairmen of the Senate and House subcommittees that oversee the Navy and Marine Corps.
The legislation mirrors the Navy’s recent force-structure assessment that said it needed 355 ships to meet the demands on its forces.