A recent column (“Green Party may run Kevin Blacker against U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney,” Aug. 25) suggested that who you elect to Congress plays little role in shaping the Navy’s submarine budget. I can tell you from first-hand experience that this is plain wrong.

Even for high national security priorities like submarines, it takes a determined and effective representative to keep the funding and support in place. For example, the Defense Department sought to cut submarine production in 2012 and 2020. These plans were thankfully overturned because of the determined bipartisan work led by Congressman Joe Courtney. He brought together Democrats and Republicans, who happened to be in the majority at the time, to reverse these decisions by working the nuts and bolts of the annual defense bill. And with big submarine production decisions ahead, that kind of experience and effectiveness will be crucial to our submarine force, our shipyards, our shipbuilders, and our nation’s security.

Who you elect incredibly matters when key defense budget decisions are made. It is not enough to be in the seat when things happen, you have to work to get them done. And that is exactly what I saw your Congressman in my eight years as Navy secretary.

Ray Mabus

Secretary of the Navy (2009-2017)

Springfield, Pennsylvania