IOWA SENATOR CHUCK GRASSLEY SAYS HE’S CONCERNED THAT THE MILITARY WOULD CONSIDER DECOMMISSIONING THE U-S-S SIOUX CITY, WHICH JOINED THE NAVY FLEET JUST THREE YEARS AGO.
CGUSS1 OC………JUST BUILT.” :12
THE NAVY IS ASKING CONGRESS TO APPROVE DECOMMISSIONING 24 SHIPS OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, TO SAVE THREE-POINT-SIX BILLION DOLLARS.
THE LIST INCLUDES THE U-S-S SIOUX CITY AND OTHER FREEDOM CLASS.LITTORAL COMBAT SHIPS:
CGUSS2 OC……… OF SIOUX CITY.” :18
PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY THE U-S-S SIOUX CITY IS AMONG SHIPS THAT NEED A COSTLY REPAIR TO ITS PROPULSION SYSTEM AND SIX NEW SHIPS WILL BE DELIVERED WITH A REVAMPED DESIGN TO ADDRESS THE FLAW.
GRASSLEY SAYS THIS CASE MAKES HIM QUESTION THE NAVY’S BUDGET DECISIONS.
CGUSS3 OC…….AND RESPONSIBLY.” :13
IOWA’S OTHER U.S. SENATOR, JONI ERNST, SAYS THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION’S BUDGET PUTS THE SIZES OF OUR NAVY AND AIR FORCE FAR SHORT OF WHERE THEY NEED TO BE AND REFLECTS WHAT ERNST CALLS “APPEASEMENT” TO AN EMBOLDENED PUTIN IN RUSSIA.
ERNST SPOKE AT THE CHRISTENING CEREMONY FOR THE U-S-S SIOUX CITY IN 2018.