House and Senate negotiators in a compromise defense policy deal reached Tuesday deferred a decision on the Navy's proposal to place half of its cruiser fleet in reduced operating status while they are refurbished, directing the Navy to modernize just two vessels in fiscal year 2015. The Navy proposed during this year's budget negotiations to place 11 out of a fleet of 22 cruisers -- along with three amphibious ships -- in reduced operating status while they are modernized as...
