(EXCERPT) By DALE EISMAN, The Virginian-Pilot © September 30, 2003
Last updated: 10:31 AM

WASHINGTON -- A pro-defense, Republican-controlled Congress has given
Navy shipbuilding programs a $2 billion boost, but with the cash has
come a disquieting message: Don't expect too much more.

Even as they agreed to spend $12.2 billion on seven new ships next
year and signed off on a five-year deal for five additional
Virginia-class attack submarines, lawmakers rejected a more expensive
seven-sub package and underscored their reluctance to take on
long-term shipbuilding obligations.

A House-Senate panel also warned the Navy's civilian executives
against negotiating future contracts with sub builders Northrop
Grumman and General Dynamics without specific permission from
Congress. Northrop does submarine work at its Newport News shipyard.

The message is, ``there are only so many dollars to go around,'' Rep.
Jerry Lewis, R-Calif., chairm...

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