What Do You Suppose That Means?

What do you suppose Rep. Gene Taylor (D-MISS) meant when he said this:

“It now appears the Navy has learned how to deflect criticism of the shipbuilding plan: Don’t submit one,” Rep. Gene Taylor, D-Miss., said during opening remarks at a hearing held by the House Seapower subcommittee, which he chairs.

“Although required by Title 10 of the United States Code, all plans for future years’ ship procurement are being withheld from the Congress,” Taylor continued. “This obviously makes it very difficult for the members of this Congress to fulfill their Article I responsibilities to ‘provide and maintain a Navy’”

Speaking sternly, Taylor twice said his next line: “If the Navy chooses not to submit a shipbuilding plan, Congress will.”

That last part was not mentioned in Rep. Gene Taylor's prepared opening statement, rather was ad hoc during the session on Friday. I have no idea what it means.

I will add one point. From time to time we see Congressmen breathe fire at the military services, but we never really see any smoke (even when someone gets burned). I don't know what it means that Congress will make a 5 year shipbuilding plan, but I don't see this having any meaningful influence over this years budget, or next, or any actually.

Still, an interesting comment nonetheless.