Rep. Bradley Byrne, R-AL01, will host the third-ranking House Republican in Mobile, Ala. next week for a tour of Austal USA.
House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy will visit the shipyard, which is currently building the Littoral Combat Ship for the U.S. Navy.
“As the House Majority Whip, Congressman McCarthy has broad influence within the Republican Conference, entrusted with the responsibility to inform Members on how to build a conservative voting record,” Byrne explained. “By hosting Congressman McCarthy at the Austal USA shipyard in Mobile, we can demonstrate the importance of the Littoral Combat Ship to the future of the U.S. Navy, and the jobs that are hosted here in Southwest Alabama, to this important decision maker. We have a great story to tell, and I am excited to showcase this important part of our community to Congressman McCarthy.”
McCarthy is a key member of the House leadership structure, ranking just below Speaker of the House John Boehner and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor.
McCarthy’s role is one made famous in popular culture by Kevin Spacey’s portrayal of Congressman Frank Underwood in the Netflix original series “House of Cards.” Underwood was the House Majority Whip in Season 1 of the series.
Underwood’s line, “Vote your district. Vote your conscience. Just don’t surprise me,” is widely believed to have been directly lifted from McCarthy, who Spacey spent some time with preparing for the role.
The importance of having a key House leader like McCarthy on board with Austal’s mission in Mobile cannot be overstated. The Littoral Combat Ship program has been clouded by some uncertainty, due in part to deep defense cuts implemented by the Obama Administration.
Austal USA President Craig Perciavalle told Yellowhammer several weeks ago that Alabama’s congressional delegation has been instrumental in protecting the LCS program, and the 4,000 jobs it currently supports in South Alabama.
“I’ve been in this position for a little over a year now and the appreciation that I have for what they do has just gone beyond my imagination,” Perciavalle said of Alabama’s congressmen and senators. “They provide a tremendous amount of support for us — both with state support with supporting the operations, as well as support on the Hill.”
To see Yellowhammer’s full interview with Perciavalle, check out “The Exchange.”
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