The Senate debated Tuesday whether to spend $1.75 billion on seven additional F-22 jets, a decision that pits the possible loss of thousands of defense jobs against Obama administration assertions that the Pentagon has enough of the fighters and the program should be terminated. (May need to register) Full Story »
Posted by Samuel W. Velsor IV - via Publish2 (Politics), Washington Post
The current weapons procurement system, he said in a floor speech Tuesday morning, “is out of control,” and went on to recall President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s warning of excessive influence in Washington by the military-industrial complex, suggesting a tweak to “military-industrial-congressional” complex.
Finally we have a President who is starting to put the breaks on the out of control “Complex”.
Although the decision Tuesday formally leaves the two chambers at odds, lawmakers on both sides of the issue predicted the lopsided Senate position will prevail when the defense bills are reconciled in a conference committee. If it does, the program will be halted at 187 planes, less than half what the Air Force once sought.
“The Senate has heard from the senior leadership of the Defense Department both civilian and military that we should end F-22 production. The recommendation is strong and clear, as strong and clear as I have ever heard,” Levin said.
Add to that the President made it very clear that he’d veto the bill if this cut was not made.
Dodd, speaking on the Senate floor last week, questioned why Congress should approve $65 billion to prop up the automobile industry but can’t spend $1.75 billion to support an important segment of the aerospace industry.
This is the infamous Apples and Oranges statement and totally irresponsible on Dodds part.
Glad to see McCain and some others are in the lead of cooler heads and amazed to see that McCain is standing with our President and SOD on this issue. The comparison to government funds for GM et al is just stupid for lack of a better word(s).