WASHINGTON – The U.S. House of Representatives today approved $1.02 billion for construction of two Littoral combat ships (LCS) and instructed the U.S. Navy to award the contracts so construction on the ships can begin as soon as possible.  Defense contractor Lockheed Martin has submitted a bid to build the next LCS vessel at Marinette Marine.

The funding approved by the House was included in a spending bill to fund the U.S. Departments of Defense, Homeland Security and Veterans Affairs for the entirety of Fiscal Year 2009 and all other federal government agencies at current levels through March 6, 2009.  The bill now awaits approval from the U.S. Senate and the president.

“I don’t have to tell anyone at Marinette Marine how important federal funding for the LCS is,” said U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee).  “When this bill is signed into law it will put us one step closer to seeing the next LCS built, hopefully at Marinette Marine.”

“The LCS program is important to our country, the people at Marinette Marine and the entire community,” said U.S. Congressman Steve Kagen (D-Appleton).  “I am working hard with my good friend Bart Stupak to bring higher wage jobs to our area and today we took one step closer to that goal.”

On Sept. 18, Lockheed Martin delivered the first LCS to the U.S. Navy.  The ship was constructed at Marinette Marine.  Lockheed Martin has submitted a bid to build an additional LCS at Marinette Marine.  Congress provided funding for the construction of an LCS vessel in the current fiscal year.  The Navy requested bids in April and was expected to announce a decision in August, but contracts were never awarded.

“This time we included language specifically instructing the Navy to award the contracts as soon as possible,” Stupak said.  “We don’t want to see any more foot dragging by the Navy with so many jobs on the line.”

“The workers at Marinette Marine build first-rate ships,” Kagen said.  “Our military has benefited greatly from their hard work and we are looking forward to continuing to put ships from Marinette Marine on the water in defense of our nation.”

Included in a separate bill passed by House today is a provision to postpone implementation of the cost cap for the LCS program until Fiscal Year 2010.  Under current law, the Navy must purchase LCS vessels for no more than $460 million per ship.  Increased costs of steel and other supplies, labor and fluctuating exchange rates have made it difficult for the Navy to stay below this cap.

The LCS is smaller than the Navy's next-generation surface combat ship and can enter shallow coastal waters at high speeds to bring soldiers safely out of enemy territory. The LCS can travel at 57.5 miles per hour, compared with an average speed of 34.5 mph for other combat ships.

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