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Navy League of Hampton Roads hosts Congressional Roundtable Luncheon

Posted at 12:49 PM, Apr 21, 2017
and last updated 2017-04-21 18:06:51-04

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - The Navy League of Hampton Roads hosted a Congressional Roundtable Luncheon on Friday.

The event was held at the Westin Hotel in Virginia Beach Town Center as part of the Navy League Distinguished Guest Speaker Forum.

Congressmen Bobby Scot, Rob Wittman and Scott Taylor all spoke during the event.

Much of the discussion focused on the Continuing Resolution currently funding our government which expires on April 28.

All three congressmen expressed confidence that something will be in place, but it's unclear whether that will be an actual budget or another Continuing Resolution.

"Government officials are sitting at their desks now doing three budgets. What if we have another continuing resolution, what happens if we have a real budget, what happens if there’s a shutdown. I mean that’s a lot of work that’s being done that doesn’t have to be done," Congressman Bobby Scott told News 3's Todd Corillo.

During his opening remarks at the forum, Congressman Wittman's proclamation that another Continuing Resolution is not the way to go was met with applause.

Another Continuing Resolution would limit the Department of Defense's ability to enter into planned long-term contracts.

"The things we need to do to establish readiness. To make sure training takes place. To make sure ships are repaired, aircraft repaired. Those things I think are beginning to be understood by other members in districts without military presence," Representative Wittman told News 3.

Congressman Scott Taylor also expressed confidence to News 3 that a request from the Florida delegation for funding to bring a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to the Sunshine State will not happen.

Such a move could cost Hampton Roads hundreds of millions of dollars if a carrier from Norfolk were to leave.

"The money is not there. It doesn’t make sense. It’s incredibly expensive, the Florida, Jacksonville area had a referendum where they voted down to have aircraft there. So it doesn’t make sense. It’s well over a billion dollars to make that port nuclear capable for homeport. It’s just not going to happen. It’s unrealistic," Congressman Taylor told Corillo.

Congress returns from a two-week break on Monday.

They have until midnight on April 28th to pass a spending bill.