Rep. Courtney’s Bipartisan Legislation to Support SUBASE NEW LONDON, Virginia Class Mission Passes House

As the Submarine Base continues its modernization and waterfront recapitalization plan to homeport the next generation of Virginia Class submarines, known as Block V and Block VI, which will be 84-fleet longer than the current Virginia Class submarines, existing piers must be extended to homeport these larger vessels. Rep. Courtney's legislation enables construction to extend Pier 8 by transferring a certain portion of the Thames River Channel from the Army Corps of Engineers to the U.S. Navy, as the scope of the project would extend beyond Submarine Base-managed property.

"Expanding the Navy's control of the Thames River for the Virginia Class submarines enabled with Virginia Payload Modules is a strong commitment by Congress to the 'enduring' mission of SUBASE NEW LONDON. Block V and Block VI submarines are the future of the fleet, and this bill aligns the base's perimeter to be able to home port them while they are on patrol well into the 2060s,"said Rep. Joe Courtney, Ranking Member of the House Seapower Subcommittee.

Next, Courtney will work to ensure this provision is included in the final House-Senate negotiated bill that is expected to be sent to the President's desk by the end of the year.