There’s a reason so many shipbuilders have offices in Washington, DC. The Sea Power and Force Projection Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee today released its proposals for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (NDAA).

Among other things, this year’s proposal “directs the Maritime Administrator to carry out a program to complete the design and construction in United States shipyards of up to 10 sealift vessels for use in National Defense Reserve Fleet”.

In addition, the subcommittee’s proposal:

• Recommends to the Committee of the Whole that the Navy procure eight combat force vessels: two Virginia-class submarines, two guided missile destroyers (DDG), one guided missile frigate (FFG), one platform dock landing gear (LPD) Flight II, a fleet tanker (T-AO) and a tow, salvage and salvage vessel (T-ATS).

• Recommends to the Committee of the Whole an additional $250 million in Advanced Procurement, Shipbuilding and Conversion, Navy, for a Landing Platform Dock (LPD) to be acquired in fiscal year 2024.

• Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to enter into a multi-year supply contract for up to 15 guided missile destroyers (DDGs).

• Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to enter into a bulk purchase contract for up to 25 ship-to-shore connection craft.

• Sets a statutory floor of 31 L-class amphibious ships.

• Forbids the withdrawal of the USS Vicksburg (CG-69).

• Prohibits the early retirement of the four amphibious ships proposed for disposal in fiscal year 2023, including: USS germantown (LSD-42), USS Gunston Halll (LSD-44), USS Tortoise (LSD-46) and USS Ashland (LSD-48).

• Requires the Secretary of the Navy to consult with the Commandant of the Marine Corps on all major decisions directly affecting the structure or capability of the amphibious force.

• Authorizes appropriations for marine administration and recommends full funding for marine safety and tanker safety programs.

• Leads a Navy Amphibious Warfare Fleet Comptroller General Review.

• Leads a Comptroller General’s review of the Navy’s Guided Missile Frigate (FFG) program.

Obviously absent of the panel’s proposal is any reference to the Navy’s proposal to decommission nine Freedom-class littoral combat ships well below their expected service life.

The subcommittee will meet at 2 p.m. ET on Wednesday, June 8 at Rayburn 2118 and via the WebEx platform. The markup will be streamed live on the committee’s website.

The subcommittee note is available here.