The U.S. Navy currently possesses approximately 280 ships, less than half the number during the Cold War. Between likely budget cuts, the increased cost of shipbuilding, and continued de-commissionings, the long-term outlook is that the fleet will continue its decrease in size, perhaps reaching as few ships as 200. "Allowing the current U.S. naval slippage to continue will result in a combat fleet of a size we haven't seen since 1911," said Seth Cropsey, Hudson Institute Senior Fellow and former Deputy Undersecretary of the Navy. In order to address this issue, Hudson Institute is hosting a conference, βDon't Give Up the Ships - A Look at a 200-Ship Navy.β Speakers will include Rep.