NORFOLK, Va. — Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro this week announced that the sponsors of the future Constellation-class guided-missile frigate USS Congress -- the second in the class -- will be four members of Congress: Senators Tammy Baldwin and Joni Ernst, and Representatives Betty McCollum and Jen Kiggans.
Kiggans (R, VA-02) said she is flattered to receive this honor.
"Any and all ships I welcome. I want to expand our shipbuilding capacity. And I just look forward to being part of one of the newest ships in the Navy," she said.
But, the Navy mishandled oversight of the $22 billion Constellation program, according to a May report from the Government Accountability Office.
The report said the shipbuilder, Fincantieri Marinette Marine in Wisconsin, now forecasts delivery in 2029. That's approximately 36 months later than planned.
"Three years beyond when we were expecting it to be delivered is three years that our sailors don't have this capability, that our Navy doesn't have this capability," said GAO Contracting and National Security Acquisitions team Director Shelby Oakley called the findings "highly disappointing."
Shelby added: "I think there's disappointment all around and really a recognition that things need to change."
Another problem is the cost.
The Congressional Research Service reported this week that the final tab for the first frigate will be nearly $1.4 billion. It was supposed to cost between $1.1 billion and $1.2 billion.