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Committee backs broader right‑to‑repair authority after nominee calls restrictions 'dangerous'
Summary
Senators and the nominee agreed that contractor restrictions that prevent sailors from repairing equipment hinder readiness; Admiral Caudle expressed full support for the right to repair and said sailors should be able to fix broken gear.
During the July 24 hearing senators and Admiral Daryl Caudle discussed contractual repair restrictions identified by the Government Accountability Office and Secretary of the Navy testimony as constraining shipboard repairs.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren described instances where sailors on the Gerald R. Ford carrier could not fix ovens or elevators because contractor restrictions prevented them from doing so. Warren said GAO estimated repair restrictions cost the Navy billions and reduce training opportunities.
Admiral Caudle called the situation “dangerous” and said he was “100% committed” to the principle underlying right‑to‑repair changes. He told the panel: “There should be nothing on board a ship that a sailor cannot repair.” The nominee said that allowing sailors to train on repairs in peacetime is necessary so they can perform under combat conditions.
Why it matters: Contractual limitations on repair and maintenance can increase costs, lengthen repair timelines and reduce sailor self‑sufficiency. Committee members said congressional and service action to secure technical data and diagnostic tools is necessary to improve resilience and reduce dependence on sole contractors.
