The alternate British battle line might encourage the United States to consider larger and faster Colorado-class battleships. Congress remains a major institutional constraint. Legislators tended to view the battle fleet as a force that would defend the United States rather than range outward to find an enemy. That defensive conception reduces the political value of extra speed even when foreign developments make it tactically attractive.
Notable Point · 2:12:55-2:13:23
American battle-fleet politics still limit speed
Congress viewed the US battle fleet primarily as a defensive instrument, weakening the case for larger, faster Colorados.