Graham grills Navy on budget that shrinks the fleet as China grows: ‘Doesn’t make sense’

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China outpacing US in war ship production, Navy secretary warns

U.S. Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro said Tuesday that China is outpacing the U.S. in war ship production. (National Press Club)

Sen. Lindsey Graham ripped into Navy leaders on Tuesday for backing the Biden administration’s 2024 budget plan that calls for a shrinking Navy fleet, even as China’s continues to expand.

At a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing, Graham got Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro to confirm that the Navy currently has 296 ships, while China has "upward of 300."

"Like 340?" Graham pressed on China’s fleet size.

CHINA THREATENS ‘SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES’ AFTER US WARSHIP AGAIN SAILS BY CONTESTED PARACEL ISLANDS

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., argued Tuesday that the Navy is supporting a budget that will shrink the fleet and put the U.S. in a tougher position against China. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

"Yes, sir," Del Toro acknowledged.

Del Toro acknowledged that under Biden’s proposed budget, the U.S. Navy would be left with 291 ships by 2028, while China’s fleet would grow to about 440.

"I will add that our ships are extremely more modern than they ever have been," Del Toro said.

"Well, let’s hope so," Graham replied. "If not we’re in a world of hurt."

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 manned ships.

NAVY SECRETARY CITED CLIMATE CHANGE AS TOP PRIORITY AS BIDEN PROPOSES SHRINKING THE FLEET

Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro admitted the Navy used an inflation estimate that is lower than the real rate of inflation when it prepared 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 when the fleet is shrinking under Biden’s fiscal plan, Gilday said the Navy has laid out one option for getting there – a budget plan that lets the Navy expand by 5% above inflation.

However, Graham noted that the proposed Navy budget is not keeping up with inflation.

"The actual budget is 2% below inflation," Graham said. "How can you support a plan that requires 5% to get you to 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 THAT CHINA EXPELLED AMERICAN WARSHIP FROM NEAR DISPUTED ISLANDS

Under the Navy's latest budget plan, the fleet would shrink by two ships this year, and more ships in the next few years, while China's fleet is expanding. (U.S. Navy via Getty Images)

Del Toro seemed to resist those numbers in an earlier line of questioning. 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% is the estimate that was used when the budget was being prepared.

"What’s the actual inflation rate?" Graham asked.

"Somewhere in the 6% range, sir," Del Toro said.

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"So the predictor was wrong," Graham said.

"Predictors are often wrong," Del Toro replied.