The INSIDER daily digest -- Feb. 1, 2023

This INSIDER Daily Digest for the first day of February has news on several lawmakers' opposition to the Pentagon practice of submitting unfunded priorities lists to Congress plus a fair amount of Navy coverage.

Six House and Senate lawmakers are calling on the Defense Department "to rein in DOD's use of wasteful 'unfunded priorities' lists that help DOD increase spending beyond its core priorities":

Lawmakers ask Austin to 'curtail' post-budget 'gamesmanship' in unfunded priorities lists

A bipartisan group of lawmakers from the House and Senate, led by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), is asking Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to "curtail" the Pentagon’s practice of sending Congress billions of dollars in "unfunded priorities lists" not included in the president's initial budget submission.

Document: Lawmakers' letter to DOD on unfunded priorities

On to Navy shipbuilding and maintenance news:

GAO: Navy faces growing sustainment challenges for surface ships

For several of the Navy’s key ship classes, steaming hours are falling while maintenance problems and costs are growing, according to government auditors, who say the Navy has not fully implemented many prior recommendations to improve ship sustainment.

Document: GAO report on Navy ship sustainment

Navy officials highlight labor shortages, other key challenges for submarine production and maintenance

The hiring and retention of a skilled industrial workforce is a top strategic challenge across both the public and private sectors in the delivery and fielding of submarines and surface ships, according to Navy officials who discussed efforts to fortify the industrial base.

. . . followed by some Navy unmanned systems news:

Navy plans inaugural industry day for unmanned and surface combatants under FY-23 law

The Navy program executive office for unmanned and surface combatants plans a three-day series of briefings for industry to outline the current state of projects and new opportunities for companies in a portfolio that is expected to grow in coming years.

In case you missed it, Oshkosh executives discussed the company's quarterly earnings yesterday:

Oshkosh reports sales growth in fourth quarter, lower profits for 2022 overall

Oshkosh reported sales growth in the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to the previous year, but profits for the year were lower due to continuing supply chain issues, company executives said during an earnings call Tuesday.