Virginia Officials React to Aircraft Carrier Decision

Several Virginia candidates and elected officials have statements out regarding the Defense Department’s decision to postpone further action regarding the relocation of a nuclear aircraft carrier from Norfolk, Virginia to Mayport, Florida.

First, here's Creigh Deeds:

I am pleased with the Defense Department's announcement to delay further action on the proposal to move the Norfolk-based nuclear powered aircraft carrier to Florida, pending a sweeping review of the proposal. I applaud Governor Kaine, Senator Webb, Senator Warner, and our entire congressional delegation for their tireless efforts to keep the carrier in Norfolk. We simply cannot afford to lose the carrier during this economic crisis. The Pentagon's originial proposal would cost the Hampton Roads region thousands of jobs and it would be fiscally irresponsible to ask the taxpayers to pay up to $1 billion to move the carrier to Mayport. I remain optimistic that we will be able to keep the carrier in Norfolk.

Now, here's Terry McAuliffe:

The Department of Defense's announcement that they would defer the decision to move the nuclear carrier from Norfolk to Florida is encouraging news for Virginia. As I've said before, this unnecessary transfer would have devastating consequences here in the Commonwealth. Thousands of jobs would be lost, and it would deepen the economic crisis in Hampton Roads.

This was a decision made by the Bush administration on their way out the door and on which Bob McDonnell refused to stand up to his party on behalf of Virginians. Thankfully, due to the leadership of Senators Webb and Warner, Governor Kaine and our Congressional delegation, the Department of Defense has put this move on hold.

Sen. Mark Warner: "Today’s decision reflects a Pentagon that is now being guided by fiscal and strategic priorities."

Sen. Jim Webb: "I look forward to reviewing the rest of the proposal—which includes a request for funds to conduct minimal dredging and pier work at Mayport—on its merits, as part of the Fiscal Year 2010 budget process."

Gov. Tim Kaine: "Today’s decision by the Department of Defense to postpone acting on the Navy's Record of Decision to homeport a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in Mayport, Florida -- pending a review -- offers some room for optimism among Virginians."

Rep. Glenn Nye (D-2nd): "I’m pleased that the Navy has decided to reconsider the plan to move a nuclear aircraft carrier to Mayport. This is an important victory for Hampton Roads in our fight to keep our aircraft carriers where they belong, right here in Norfolk."

Rep. Rob Wittman (R-1st): "I want to continue to work with the Navy to ensure that the proposed dredging activities are only being used for an emergency contingency and not for permanent home-porting. As I have stated on the record for several months during Armed Services Committee hearings, I believe this decision needs to be based on the strategic defense needs of this nation as identified in the QDR."

Rep. Randy Forbes (R-4th): "The Department of Defense’s decision today is an important step in the right direction, and I am pleased that they have chosen, in this instance, to place strategy before politics. I remain concerned with $60 million that remains in the budget for pier improvements and dredging the Mayport channel, as this spending seems questionable given DoD’s decision today."