Answer:
Step-by-step explanation:
If the U.S. Navy needed a new warship, the Cabinet department head who would most likely make the case to Congress or to the President would be the Secretary of Defense. This is because the Department of Defense (DoD) is responsible for the defense of the United States, and the Secretary of Defense is the head of the DoD.
As the head of the DoD, the Secretary of Defense is responsible for overseeing the U.S. Navy and all other branches of the military. The Secretary of Defense would work closely with the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) and other military leaders to determine the need for a new warship and to develop a plan for its design and construction.
Once a plan is developed, the Secretary of Defense would make the case to Congress or to the President for funding and authorization to proceed with the construction of the new warship. This could include requesting funds through the annual defense budget, seeking congressional authorization for the Navy to enter into contracts with shipbuilders, or seeking presidential approval for specific aspects of the project.
Overall, the Secretary of Defense would be the key Cabinet department head involved in making the case for a new warship for the U.S. Navy, given the Department of Defense's primary responsibility for the nation's defense and the Secretary's role as its head.