Sharp Response to Accusations
Outgoing Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro expressed strong disagreement with lawmakers today, countering their claims regarding the Navy’s lack of transparency with Capitol Hill. He asserted that any delays in conveying funding gaps are due to the legislators’ repeated failures to pass an annual budget on time.
„The bottom line is regarding this recent issue where Congress members have critiqued the Navy for not being transparent. That’s simply not true; it’s false,” Del Toro remarked during a briefing with reporters. „Congress has a responsibility to pass budgets each year, and over the past few years, they have postponed these budgets and relied on continuing resolutions, which adversely affect the military services’ ability to implement their programs effectively.”
Context of the Criticism
Del Toro’s comments addressed specific allegations made by lawmakers in their recent defense policy bill, which accused the Navy of failing to inform Congress or the Office of Management and Budget about initiatives being developed with industry to resolve challenges in the submarine industrial base.
The Secretary emphasized that his department has maintained transparency throughout the process and labeled the lawmakers’ complaints as „false accusations.”
„The discovery and reporting of final funding gaps to Congress were primarily the result of a six- to seven-month delay caused by the continuing resolution imposed by Congress and their failure to timely pass budgets,” Del Toro explained.
Focus on Military Readiness
Del Toro also faced scrutiny from Senator Dan Sullivan, who criticized him for prioritizing issues like climate change over military preparedness during a confirmation hearing for defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth.
„This is undermining our military readiness,” noted Sullivan, a Republican from Alabama. In response, Del Toro reiterated that Sullivan’s comments were inaccurate.
„I take pride in the steps I’ve implemented to fortify shipbuilding and the submarine industrial base. That has been my primary focus,” he asserted. „It’s unacceptable for misleading statements to circulate when they lack truthfulness.”
Del Toro concluded by denouncing those who dismiss climate concerns, stating, „Those who constantly deny climate issues are simply perpetuating falsehoods.”
