Jeff Flake in The Washington Examiner

On Homeland Security: Cut $475M from unwanted littoral combat ship

Sen. John McCain and Sen. Jeff Flake have proposed an amendment slashing $475 million from the defense appropriations, which would cut its current two-ship buy down to a single LCS. McCain is a long-time foe of the program, once calling the LCS a classic example of "defense acquisition gone awry." The legislation would bring the bill in line with the Navy's request for one LCS, which Navy Secretary Richard V. Spencer assured lawmakers this year would be plenty. It could also placate the White House after it strongly opposed a larger buy last week.