WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) issued the following statement after the U.S. Navy announced they will block buy two Gerald R. Ford aircraft carriers:

“I am pleased that the Navy has announced its plan to move forward in the procurement of two aircraft carriers, which will generate significant cost savings for taxpayers.  This announcement is not only important for the men and women of the Newport News shipbuilding industry, it also makes a critical investment in our nation’s defense by ensuring the Navy has the capabilities needed to combat any adversary.”

Sen. Warner has continued to express support for the block buy of Ford-class aircraft carriers that would save taxpayer dollars and strengthen our national defense. In December 2017, Sen. Warner joined Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) and 15 Senators in a letter to Defense Secretary James Mattis to support the Pentagon’s pursuit in the block buy in FY2019.