Ander Crenshaw: Defense Appropriations Bill Keeps Three Cruisers Based at Mayport

U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw, R-Fla., who serves on the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, voted to back the Fiscal Year 2014 Defense Appropriations Bill which prevents three Navy ships based in Mayport on the First Coast from being decommissioned.

These are tough budgetary times, and its more important than ever to protect the size of the Navys fleet by modernizing and maintaining ships that still have decades of life left in them, Crenshaw said on Wednesday. This bill accomplishes that goal by retaining nine Navy ships, including three cruisers (CGs) homeported at Naval Station Mayport. These vessels were commissioned only 20 years ago and are vital to critical worldwide Navy missions. Keeping them in the fleet makes common sense.

My highest priority is to provide our servicemen and women in Northeast Florida and around the globe with the resources they need, Crenshaw insisted. The content of this bill demonstrates a strong commitment to that philosophy in 2014 and years to come.