Ranking Member Courtney Statement on Delivery of the USS IDAHO (SSN 799) to the U.S. Navy

NORWICH, CT - Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02), Ranking Member of the House Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, released the following statement after General Dynamic Electric Boat delivered the future USS IDAHO (SSN 799), the 26^th Virginia-class submarine, to the U.S. Navy on December 15th, 2025.

"Congratulations to the talented shipbuilders of Electric Boat in Groton and Huntington Ingalls in Virginia for their successful delivery today of the USS IDAHO (SSN 799) to the U.S. Navy. This achievement is proof of the growing momentum in the Virginia program, following delivery of the USS MASSACHUSETTS (SSN 798) in November," Courtney said. "Similarly, last year, two Virginia submarines were delivered - the USS NEW JERSEY (796) and the USS IOWA (797). Looking ahead to 2026, the USS ARKANSAS (800) and the USS UTAH (801), the 27^th and 28^th Virginia-class submarines will be performing final sea trials prior to joining the fleet. This two-per-year cadence, at the same time that the Columbia-class program is in full production, demonstrates that the $10 billion investment by Congress into the submarine industrial base starting in 2018, to grow the workforce, boost wages, supply chain, and facilities, is paying dividends.

"With a backlog of 12 Virginias, in addition to three Columbia-class ballistic submarines, much work still needs to be done. Last week, the House passed the final FY26 National Defense Authorization Act which authorizes procurement for two new Virginia submarines and funding for Columbia, replenishes wage improvement funding, and provides expanded contracting authorities, all of which were developed in the Seapower Subcommittee over the course of this Congress," Courtney continued. "Today's delivery of IDAHO validates that investment."