"According to the 2001 Quadrennial Defense Review, the Department of Defense itself has determined that 55 attack submarines are necessary to fulfill the national security needs of the United States. In addition, earlier this year as part of the fiscal year 2005 budget process, the Department of Defense included five-year budget projections, which did not call for long-term reductions in submarine force structure.
"While these budget scenarios are part of the normal process and the Navy continually assesses its force structure needs, this particular scenario is one that I would strongly oppose if it were to ever be considered by the Senate Armed Services Committee."
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