Hostettler, a member of the House National Security Committee, expressed concern about defense spending levels that are at their lowest levels, as a percentage of GDP, in 50 years while nations like China, Iraq and Iran are greatly increasing their military capabilities. We must at least match their efforts. That puts our military at the relative readiness of pre-World War II levels. Between 1990 and 1998 the number of Navy battle force ships fell from 546 to 346 and many of those remaining are not battle ready. We must allow local facility managers to have more authority over their own facilities.
Crane is on the cutting edge in that regard.