Continuing resolution names only LCS effort - Navy News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

Continuing resolution names only LCS effort

A new continuing resolution proposed by Senate Democrats to keep the government running through early next year includes language allowing the Navy to award contracts to both Littoral Combat Ship competitors. It is the only arms-program-specific language in the legislation.

“Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary of the Navy may award a contract or contracts for up to 20 Littoral Combat Ships,” the resolution reads.

The Navy had intended to choose this year between competing LCS designs from Lockheed Martin and Austal USA, but on Nov. 3 the service revealed its desire to buy 10 more ships of each design – a move that needs congressional approval.

To keep the government running, the House and Senate have to pass a measure by midnight Tuesday, when the current resolution expires. It remains unclear when and whether Congress will pass another stopgap measure, funding the government a few days at a time, or whether they will be able to pass a longer term funding bill.

One thing lawmakers have decided, at the insistence of Republicans, is that whatever funding is provided will not extend through the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30 because Republicans want an early crack next year at putting their imprint on federal spending.

In the Senate’s resolution, which is still just a proposal, the Pentagon could continue funding programs included in the 2010 defense appropriations bill at 2010 budget levels through March 4. Earlier, Senate Republicans have been talking about an even shorter period, with funding expiring on Feb. 18.

By default, this means the continuing resolution also provides funding for a second F-35 Joint Strike Fighter engine.

The Pentagon backs only one engine, made by Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of United Technologies. In its 2011 budget request, the Pentagon did not fund a second engine from General Electric and Rolls Royce and Defense Secretary Robert Gates has repeatedly said he would urge the president to veto any legislation that contains funding for one.

However, Congress included $430 million for the engine program in the 2010 budget and therefore funding at that level will continue if the new resolution is passed.

Unless otherwise stated in the resolution, funding for programs and projects will be provided at the fiscal year 2010 amount, until such time as appropriations for FY 2011 are otherwise legislated, a congressional aide explained.

The 2011 defense authorization bill the House passed last week, deferred programmatic detail to the appropriations committees, therefore providing no specific authorization one way or the other on the alternative engine program.