Rep. Courtney supports Forbes as SECNAV

House Armed Services seapower and projection forces subcommittee Ranking Member Joe Courtney (D-CT) recently sent a letter to President-elect Donald Trump's transition advocating outgoing subcommittee Chairman Randy Forbes (R-VA) for the Navy secretary position.

Forbes lost his reelection campaign and will not return to Congress in January.

"Working together, Randy and I have worked to find innovative new ways to build ships and aircraft, invest in technologies and capabilities, and ensure that our Navy has the support it needs to meet the challenges of today and the future," Courtney wrote in his Dec. 1 letter to Vice President-elect Mike Pence.

Courtney and Forbes put their ideological differences aside to focus on the needs of sailors, Marines and the industrial base, he wrote.

"Having seen Randy at work up close in hearings, meetings, and all-night mark-ups, I know that he truly understands both the big picture strategic challenges we face, along with the day-to-day responsibilities of leading the Navy," according to Courtney.

Trump's goal of a 350-ship Navy requires a leader who has a detailed understanding of the challenges and opportunities ahead, he wrote.

"I can think of no better individual to be tasked with this responsibility than Randy," Courtney wrote. "He is a thoughtful leader who as already made a lasting mark on our nation's seapower capabilities."