Florida lawmakers make push to keep Navy's carrier fleet at 12

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=26416

Three Florida members of Congress announced legislation Wednesday to mandate that the Navy keep 12 aircraft carriers in its fleet, a move prompted by Pentagon proposals to decommission the Florida-based USS Kennedy to save money.

Sens. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., and Mel Martinez, R-Fla., and Rep. Ander Crenshaw, R-Fla., criticized Pentagon officials for considering the proposal, which they say would jeopardize national security, as well as financially devastate northern Florida.

“We should be wise enough to recognize that at a time of war, our nation needs 12 carriers,” Martinez said. “We all hope there could be such a time when we don’t need this kind of defense, but it’s not now.”

Navy officials refused to comment on the legislation and budget proposal. Navy Secretary Gordon England spoke to all three lawmakers last week to inform them of the Kennedy’s proposed shutdown, which could save about $1.2 billion.