Overview

• Rep. Rosa DeLauro pressed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for a detailed strategy and dollar breakdown to ramp up submarine production during a House Appropriations hearing.
• Hegseth acknowledged past committee funding and pledged to deliver a written plan after failing to provide specifics on the spot.
• The Connecticut Democrat challenged Hegseth’s claim that Congress had neglected the submarine base by highlighting the committee’s significant recent investments.
• Hegseth attributed some of the current production setbacks to mismanagement under the prior administration.
• Lawmakers are weighing a GAO finding that $530 million is needed to finish the first two new-class submarines as House Republicans back a $150 billion boost to the FY25 defense budget.