Vice President Mike Pence told sailors at Naval Station Norfolk the Trump Administration is dropping its pitch to retire the USS Harry S. Truman.
Pence made the announcement during a visit Tuesday.
“The USS Harry S. Truman is going to be giving ’em hell for many more years to come,” Pence told the sailors, adding ““we are keeping the best carrier in the world in the fight, we are not retiring the USS Harry S Truman.”
After his speech, Pence joined a roundtable discussion with local business leaders to discuss the United States –Mexico–Canada Agreement.
“I’m glad that the administration reversed itself because this would have been an awful decision for Hampton Roads and America,” said Rep. Elaine Luria, D-Norfolk. “As someone who served two years on the USS Harry S. Truman, I have firsthand knowledge of its value and ability to bring sustained power anywhere on Earth.”
Luria represents Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District. The 2nd district includes Accomack and Northampton counties, portions of York County, and the cities of Virginia Beach and Williamsburg and parts of the cities of Norfolk and Hampton.
Luria serves on the House Armed Services Committee, where she is the vice chairwoman of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, and the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, where she serves as chairwoman of the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee.
On March 12, the Department of the Navy submitted its budget for the 2020 fiscal year which included forgoing the maintenance scheduled for the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) in 2024.
According to the Navy’s several members of Congress are opposed to dismantling of the aircraft carrier.
Aircraft carriers have a 50-year lifespan and mid-way through the ship’s life, it goes through a process known as Refueling and Complex Overhaul or RCOH. This process is a comprehensive overall of the entire aircraft carrier, according to the Navy.
The 2020 Defense budget originally called for the ship to be retired 25 years early, saying it would create budgetary flexibility to develop new manned and unmanned weapons systems and save $4 billion in the process.
Pence’s visit comes less than a week after his wife, Karen Pence visited Naval Station Norfolk.
During her visit, the Second Lady made remarks to military spouses and recognized the sacrifices made by them. She said they are the backbone of the military and contribute directly to our military readiness.
WYDaily’s partner, 13NewsNow contributed to this report.
