Congressmen push to keep carrier in HR

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - Local Congressmen are pushing back to keep a Norfolk-based aircraft carrier in Norfolk.

A letter to Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta asked that a carrier not be moved to Mayport, Florida. That letter said in part:

" Given the fact that the Pentagon is looking at a half-trillion dollar budget cut, it is fiscally irresponsible for the DoD to pursue its plans to move a carrier from Norfolk to Mayport. It is clear that the $500 million to $1 billion it would cost to needlessly move a carrier, could better be spent elsewhere."

But, Florida lawmakers aren't backing down. A congressman who represents Mayport responded:

" Leaders at the Pentagon have stated they stand behind the strategic imperative of two nuclear-capable homeports on the East Coast - one in Norfolk; one in Mayport."

So far, the military has not responded.

Right now, all five East Coast-based aircraft carriers are homeported in Norfolk.