The House Defense Appropriations Subcommitte today set the tone for the upcoming debate over Congresses’ biggest spending bill. Following a closed-door markup, the committee announced that several weapons programs targeted for termination by the White House and Pentagon are slated to receive life-giving funds. These include the C-17 Globemaster cargo plane ($674 million for three extra planes); F-22 Raptor fighter jet ($369 million for advance parts for 12 planes, identical to the House’s defense authorization request); VH-71 Presidential helicopter ($485 million for five aircraft) and the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter’s alternate engine ($560 million). Other additions: $425 million for the Wideband Global satellite system; $225 million for Stryker Army vehicles; $495 million for nine extra F-18 Super Hornet aircraft; and $142 million for an extra E-2D Hawkeye aircraft. This despite threats by the Obama administration to veto bills that contain unrequested funding for the F-22 and JSF engine.
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