Sen. Portman Calls for Action on Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle Program

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Monday, U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio) called on Defense Secretary Robert Gates to make the fiscally responsible and strategic choice and reverse his decision to scrap the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle program.

“While I understand the need for the Department of Defense to seek ways to increase efficiency and savings, the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle program is essential to fulfilling the core mission of the United States Marine Corps. We must work to restore the program immediately,” said Sen. Portman.

On Thursday, Sen. Portman will be touring the Lima Tank Plant and speaking with employees and plant leadership about the future of the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle program. Below is a copy of the letter sent to Secretary of Defense Robert Gates:

The Honorable Robert M. Gates

Secretary of Defense

United States Department of Defense

1400 Defense Pentagon

Washington, DC 20301-1400

 

 

Dear Secretary Gates,

 

In this period when our country is engaged in two wars, I understand and appreciate your serious efforts to seek needed savings and efficiencies within the Department of Defense (DOD) budget. I further commend your work to approach that task in a fiscally responsible and strategic manner.  Our military, like our nation, has a limited budget, and we must prioritize to put the taxpayers’ dollars to the best use.

 

I do, however, have strong concerns about the recently announced cancellation of the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV) program.  I understand from recent conversations with the Marine Corps and previous Marine Corps leadership testimony before the Congress that having a modernized amphibious assault capability is essential to fulfilling the core mission of the United States Marine Corps. I understand, further, that you have reiterated that this capability remains essential to the U.S. national security.

 

With taxpayers already investing over $3 billion into the EFV program, I am concerned that starting from scratch on a new vehicle – the course of action that you indicated in your public remarks of 6 January, 2011 – would squander the investments already made by the American people, while inviting the same risks that have posed challenging to new vehicle programs in the past.

 

At a minimum, I believe that the USMC’s current testing on the EFV prototypes should be continued and completed in the coming weeks to ensure a better understanding of the viability of the vehicle. Absent an existing affordable alternative, next-generation amphibious tractor, I question the wisdom of the decision to cancel the existing program without seeing the testing completed.

 

I look forward to working with your office to ensure that the Marine Corps is able to meet its mission while ensuring taxpayer dollars are wisely spent and that the Corps has flexibility within its budget to pursue other priorities.

 

Sincerely,

 Rob Portman