Wicker named ranking Republican on committee

By MARIA RECIO - SUN HERALD WASHINGTON BUREAU

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WASHINGTON — Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., was named Friday the ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee’s Seapower Subcommittee, giving the Magnolia State three key players in shipbuilding: Wicker, Rep. Gene Taylor, D-Bay St. Louis, chairman of the House seapower subcommittee and Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, a former Mississippi governor.

Wicker was already on the subcommittee — an acknowledgement of the Gulf Coast’s strong shipbuilding industries, especially Northrop Grumman’s Ingalls Shipyard in Pascagoula — but the GOP leadership had to shuffle members around after Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Fla., resigned. The result: Wicker moves up to a more influential position as the ranking Republican on the panel.

“My position as the ranking Republican on the seapower subcommittee will give me a unique opportunity to work with the Navy and Marine Corps to help keep our country secure,” said Wicker. “A strong domestic shipbuilding industry is absolutely critical to providing that security. I look forward to working with Rep. Gene Taylor, the House Seapower subcommittee chairman, and Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus to ensure our nation’s shipyards are employed at a steady level and that our sailors and Marines have the resources they need to continue protecting our nation.”