Sec. 131. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON MARINE CORPS AMPHIBIOUS LIFT AND PRESENCE REQUIREMENTS

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## SEC. 131 SENSE OF CONGRESS ON MARINE CORPS AMPHIBIOUS LIFT AND PRESENCE REQUIREMENTS ###

(a)Findings Congress finds the following: ####

(1)The Marine Corps is a combat force that leverages maneuver from the sea as a force multiplier allowing for a variety of operational tasks ranging from major combat operations to humanitarian assistance. ####

(2)The Marine Corps is unique in that, while embarked upon naval vessels, they bring all the logistic support necessary for the full range of military operations and, operating “from the sea”, they require no third-party host nation permission to conduct military operations. ####

(3)The Navy has a requirement for 38 amphibious assault ships to meet this full range of military operations. ####

(4)Due only to fiscal constraints, that requirement of 38 vessels was reduced to 33 vessels, which adds military risk to future operations. ####

(5)The Navy has been unable to meet even the minimal requirement of 30 operationally available vessels and has submitted a shipbuilding and ship retirement plan to Congress that will reduce the force to 28 vessels. ####

(6)Experience has shown that early engineering and design of naval vessels has significantly reduced the acquisition costs and life-cycle costs of those vessels. ###

(b)Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— ####

(1)the Department of Defense should carefully evaluate the maritime force structure necessary to execute demand for forces by the commanders of the combatant commands; ####

(2)the Navy should carefully evaluate amphibious lift capabilities to meet current and projected requirements; ####

(3)the Navy should consider prioritization of investment in and procurement of the next generation of amphibious assault ships as a component of the balanced battle force; ####

(4)the next generation amphibious assault ships should maintain survivability protection; ####

(5)operation and maintenance requirements analysis, as well as the potential to leverage a common hull form design, should be considered to reduce total ownership cost and acquisition cost; and ####

(6)maintaining a robust amphibious ship building industrial base is vital for the future of the national security of the United States.