Committee confronts maintenance backlog, Pearl Harbor dry dock overruns and contractor repair limits; nominee backs 'right to repair'

Lawmakers used Admiral Daryl Caudle's confirmation hearing to press concerns about the Navy's maintenance backlog, facility construction overruns and contractual limits that can prevent sailors from repairing equipment. Senators described persistent problems: deferred ship maintenance, reduced steaming and flying hours, canceled training, and long shipyard availabilities that reduce fleet availability. "We can't do better than 50 or 60% availability," a senator said, noting cruise lines would be out of business with similar performance; Caudle replied that he agreed and intends to study commercial practices to improve maintenance planning. Senator Hirono questioned Caudle about the Navy's new dry dock at Pearl Harbor — a nearly $4.5 billion project that the senator said had an $834 million increase last year and was about four months behind schedule. Caudle acknowledged the Navy historically struggled with estimates in dry dock construction and said, "If I'm confirmed as CNO, I will work with the team to do the best I can to get that back on plan and back on schedule, ma'am," and committed to be personally engaged. Senator Warren pushed Caudle on so‑called "repair restrictions" in contracts that limit the Navy's ability to fix equipment and train sailors. Caudle endorsed right‑to‑repair principles: "There should be nothing on board a ship that a sailor cannot repair," he said, adding that contractual barriers are "dangerous" and he was "100% committed" to understanding and addressing the issue. Committee members and the nominee also connected maintenance shortfalls to readiness and to industrial base constraints (limited sole‑source suppliers, long lead times for parts, and insufficient yard capacity). Caudle described plans to map munition and maintenance lines, identify chokepoints, and work with industry and Congress to remove production and sustainment impediments. No formal committee action was taken at the hearing; senators indicated they would follow up in the record and expect the nominee to report on his efforts to stabilize maintenance, onshore infrastructure projects and repair authority implementation if confirmed.