Shipbuilder Tour

Five House lawmakers -- four from Virginia -- plan to tour Huntington Ingalls Industries subsidiary Newport News Shipbuilding's facilities this week.

House Armed Services Committee Vice Chairman Mac Thornberry (R-TX), seapower and projection forces subcommittee Chairman Randy Forbes (R-VA), readiness subcommittee Chairman Rob Wittman (R-VA), and Reps. Scott Rigell (R-VA) and Robert Scott (D-VA) will host a press conference Friday after a company tour, according to a statement from Rigell's office:

"Newport News Shipbuilding employs some of the hardest working men and women I have had the privilege to meet in my service to Virginia's Second Congressional district," said Congressman Scott Rigell, whose district includes parts of Newport News. "These good Americans equip the world's most powerful Navy, and it's an honor to introduce Congressman and Mrs. Thornberry to some of them. We must maintain a robust shipbuilding program in order to keep our nation safe and to keep jobs for Americans right here in Hampton Roads."

"As we have seen over the last several months, the world is not getting any safer," said Congressman Mac Thornberry. "The first job of the federal government is defending the country. And this shipyard plays a critical part in meeting that responsibility. I appreciate the chance to tour the facilities with my Armed Services colleagues from this area who are at the forefront of seeing that Congress fulfills its duties to help protect the nation."

"Vice Chairman Thornberry has long been an important voice in favor of a strong U.S. military," Congressman Randy Forbes said. "All of us who understand the necessity of a powerful, well-resourced United States Navy have an ally in Congressman Thornberry and I look forward to continuing to work with him in support of our men and women in uniform."

"The work done by the great folks at Newport News Shipbuilding is absolutely critical for maintaining and preserving the strength of our Navy," Congressman Rob Wittman said. "I'm pleased that Vice Chairman Thornberry will be joining us tomorrow to see firsthand the expertise and contributions of our shipbuilding community."

"I am pleased to welcome Congressman Thornberry to Newport News to showcase the hard work of the world's best shipbuilders," said Congressman Bobby Scott. "Shipbuilding is the backbone of our nation's Navy and I look forward to working with Congressman Thornberry and my colleagues in the Virginia delegation to support this critically important industry."

The Navy last month awarded the company a $25 million contract modification to complete 40 design and construction changes to the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78). As Inside the Navy reported Aug. 18:

The modifications are "routine in nature," Navy spokesman Lt. Rob Myers told Inside the Navy last week, but normally they would be executed individually. In this instance, the changes were "bundled" in order to save time and resources, Myers explained.

The changes are "fairly benign" and include things like structure and outfitting construction, as well as installation and integration of government furnished equipment, Myers added.

"The 40 headquarters modification requests for changes are routine in nature, and of the type to be expected on any CVN construction effort," Myers said. "They would normally be adjudicated individually; however, these changes were bundled to gain efficiencies in the negotiation and award process."

The modifications do not add new capability to the ship and do not impact the timeline of construction, he said. "None of the changes adds new capability to the ship nor do they represent an increase to established requirements," Myers told ITN. "Rather, they resolve issues identified during construction."