Defense Bill Punts on Navy Plan to Mothball Cruisers, Adds Money for 12th LPD, Growlers

The compromise 2015 defense bill between the House and the Senate will allow the Navy to move ahead with putting two Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruisers in mothballs but stops short of endorsing the service’s plan to layup half of the cruiser force, according to a Tuesday background briefing to reporters from House and Senate staffers.

Language in the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) will allow the Navy to start the preservation and modernization process for two of the ships next year — in line with the early part of the Navy’s plan — but gives Congress flexibility to alter the deal.

“They can stand down two this year but [the bill] doesn’t address what they do in future years,” a legislative staffer told reporters.

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