Reports that welds on Navy submarines and aircraft carriers being built at Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia may have been purposely faulty have prompted a congressional investigation.
In a joint statement Friday, leaders on the House Armed Services Committee from both parties demanded “absolute transparency” from the Navy on the issue.
“It is deeply concerning to learn that faulty welds may have been knowingly made to U.S. Navy submarines and aircraft carriers,” said the statement from committee Chairman Mike Rogers, R-Ala.; Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., ranking member of the committee; seapower subcommittee Chairman Trent Kelly, R-Miss.; and Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Conn., ranking member of the seapower subcommittee.
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“The House Armed Services Committee is investigating how this occurred,” the statement continued. “The safety of our sailors is our top concern, and we need to immediately understand any risks associated with the faulty work. The Department of Defense needs to immediately provide our committee with answers and a plan for how they will protect U.S. Navy vessels against tampering.”