WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) released the following statement on the U.S. Navy budget priorities announced today by the Department of Defense.

“The Pentagon is making difficult but responsible choices as military planners work to cut a half-trillion dollars in defense spending.

Due to the consistent, coordinated and bipartisan efforts of Virginia’s congressional delegation, and our strong partnership with state and local officials, the Navy has made the correct decision by committing to maintain the current number of carriers in Norfolk through the year 2020. I also am very pleased to see commitments that allow us to maintain the unique construction and refueling capacity Virginia currently provides for the Navy’s fleet of aircraft carriers and submarines.

There will be some modest shifts in personnel and in the total number of ships at the Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base. However, overall, the Navy plans to retain 111,000 Navy and Marine Corps personnel in Hampton Roads through 2020, which is only 3,000 fewer personnel than the current level.

The Commonwealth’s historic and strong partnership with our nation’s military, and our men and women who serve it, has been built and maintained over generations.

Today’s news from the Pentagon will strengthen this partnership moving forward.”