Senator Lindsey Graham on Tuesday attacked naval leaders for supporting the Biden administration’s 2024 budget plan, which calls for a shrinking naval fleet even as China’s continues to expand.
During a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing, Graham got Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro to confirm that the Navy currently has 296 ships, while China has “more than 300.”
“Like 340?” Graham insisted on the size of the Chinese fleet.
CHINA THREATS ‘SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES’ AFTER OUR WARSHIP RE-CASTS THROUGH DISPUTED PARACEL ISLANDS
Senator Lindsey Graham, RS.C., argued Tuesday that the Navy is backing a budget that will shrink the fleet and put the US in a stronger position against China. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
“Yes, sir,” Del Toro acknowledged.
Del Toro acknowledged that under Biden’s proposed budget, the US Navy would have 291 ships by 2028, while China’s fleet would grow to about 440.
“I will add that our ships are extremely modern than ever before,” Del Toro said.
“Well, let’s hope so,” Graham replied. “If not, we’re in a world of pain.”
Graham then pressed Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Gilday on whether he supports the Biden budget, even though the Navy has said it needs at least 373 ships manned.
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY HAS LISTED CLIMATE CHANGE A TOP PRIORITY AS BIDEN PROPOSES FLEET SHRINKAGE
Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro admitted that the Navy used an inflation estimate that is lower than actual inflation when developing its budget plan. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“I do,” Gilday said when asked if he supports Biden’s budget. When asked how the Navy will ever get to 373 ships if the fleet shrinks under Biden’s fiscal plan, Gilday said the Navy has come up with one option to get there: a budget plan that would allow the Navy to expand at 5% above inflation.
However, Graham noted that the proposed naval budget is not keeping up with inflation.
“The actual budget is 2% below inflation,” Graham said. “How can you support a plan that needs 5% to get you where you want to go, and the actual plan is 2% below inflation? That doesn’t make sense to me. Does that make sense to you?”
US DENIES CHINA REMOVED AMERICAN WARSHIP FROM NEAR CONTESTED ISLANDS
According to the Navy’s latest budget plan, the fleet would shrink by two ships this year and by more ships in the coming years as China’s fleet expands. (US Navy via Getty Images)
Del Toro appeared to balk at those numbers in an earlier series of questions. When Graham asked Del Toro what the current rate of inflation is for the country, Del Toro said it was 4.6%, but later acknowledged that 4.6% was the estimate used when the budget was drafted.
“What is true inflation?” asked Graham.
“Somewhere in the 6% range, sir,” Del Toro said.
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“So the forecaster was wrong,” Graham said.
“Forests are often wrong,” Del Toro replied.
Pete Kasperowicz is a political editor at Fox News Digital.
