House approves more submarine funding

House approves more submarine funding
By Andrew Miga - The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Nov 9, 2007 5:35:45 EST

WASHINGTON — Connecticut and Rhode Island congressmen eager to protect jobs in their states praised House passage Thursday of a defense spending bill that would double Virginia-class submarine production to two ships a year.

A key mission for lawmakers has been to convince the Navy to accelerate plans to double production of the high-tech attack sub as soon as possible. Such a move could help safeguard jobs at Electric Boat, the submarine-maker with facilities in both states.

About 7,600 people work at Electric Boat’s shipyard in Groton, while about 2,000 are employed at the company’s Quonset Point facility in Rhode Island.

Freshman Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Conn., whose district includes the U.S. Naval Submarine Base in Groton and the nearby Electric Boat shipyard, spearheaded the House fight along with colleagues from both states.

“Right now, we’re in the final, final stretch of this,” Courtney said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press shortly after the vote. “It has a lot of momentum.”

The House passed the spending bill by a 400-15 vote margin. Even if President Bush decides to veto the measure, the House could override him, Courtney said.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/11/ap_twosubs_071108/