Palazzo signs letter in support of LCS

New 1st District Alabama Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-Mobile) and 21 colleagues signed and sent a letter to President Barack Obama Feb. 6 in support of the Littoral Combat Ship program. One of the two variants is built in the Port City of Mobile. The entire Alabama congressional delegation was joined by Gulf Coast neighbor-lawmakers Steven Palazzo (R-Biloxi, Miss.) and Jeff Miller (R-Pensacola, Fla.). Byrne and Rep. Reid Ribble (R-Wis.) – home to the second variant - co-wrote the letter. Unofficial reports have indicated the Navy is considering cutting back - from 52 to 32 – the number of LCS it plans to acquire. Pointing out the current budget challenges, the Bryne letter highlights the high-water marks of the program contractors’ abilities to bring the ship to the fleet on budget and on time and support of building all 52 ships for the Navy. The Alabama-based LCS contract is held by Austal USA – Mobile’s largest employer. LCS critics contend the vessel does not meet minimum combat requirements. Source: AL.com, Feb. 7, 2014.