Crow Leads Bipartisan Coalition Pressing Navy Officials for Plan to Protect Deployed Sailors and Marines from Spread of COVID-19

Today, Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06) co-led a bipartisan coalition of twenty-six Members of Congress in writing to Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas B. Modly and Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Michael M. Gilday to express concern for the health and safety of American sailors and Marines embarked on Navy vessels and facing the spread of COVID-19. Rep. Crow's bipartisan letter comes following news of the spread of COVID-19 aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), and specifically requests more information on the steps being taken by the U.S. Navy to address the potential emergence of COVID-19 on deployed ships, and to enact clear and effective guidance for commanding officers.

"One of the first things you learn in military leadership is to plan and prepare for contingencies. It is the job of our senior military leaders to anticipate problems and prepare for them. Five weeks ago, I raised my concern with our top military leaders that the Department of Defense was not preparing for this crisis. I was given assurances that the Department would provide answers and tell us what resources they needed and now, here we are with no answers and a crisis on our hands. This is a failure of leadership at multiple levels," said Crow. "Our service men and women, their families, and the American people expect and deserve better."

On February 26, during a full committee hearing with Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and General Mark Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Rep. Crow first raised the question of military preparedness to combat the coronavirus asking, "Do you anticipate additional need for money or resources to meet the coronavirus threat within the DOD?" to which Secretary Esper replied, "We have not yet had that discussion yet internally." You can watch the hearing here.

In their letter, the Members wrote:

"We write to you today with urgent concern about the health and safety of our sailors and Marines embarked on Navy vessels facing the spread of COVID-19.

"Like the nation, the Navy is faced with the challenge of limiting the spread of this deadly virus. However, shipboard life, with limited space for social distancing or quarantine, presents unique challenges that exacerbate the infection rate of this virus. Unfortunately, we are concerned that current guidance from the Department of Defense has allowed for inconsistent response to the spread of the virus on our ships and submarines. With further spread of the virus expected in the coming weeks, it is critical that the Navy, like our states and communities across the nation, take additional steps now to prepare.

"We welcome the announcement of the rotation of sailors off the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), but only after public reports emerged of the rapid spread of the virus following a thorough, measured missive from her commanding officer. […]

"To that end, we ask for your urgent response outlining the steps being taken to address the potential emergence of COVID-19 on deployed ships, as well as enacting clear and effective guidance for commanding officers across the fleet to manage and respond to this issue as quickly as possible."

To read the full letter, click here.