A jet-engine the military doesn't want

[Political Junky]

Defense Secretary Gates Against Second Engine Maker - TIME

Defense Secretary Robert Gates is responsible for overseeing the U.S. wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, but on Thursday, May 20, he took on a new war — on Capitol Hill, after a congressional panel added nearly half a billion dollars to next year's defense budget for a jet engine the military insists it doesn't need. Gates called the move "a waste of money" and promised that the Pentagon "will strongly resist efforts to impose programs and changes on the department that the military does not want, cannot afford, and that takes dollars from programs and endeavors the military services do need."
Gates' attack followed a decision by the House Armed Services Committee to add $485 million to next year's $726 billion defense budget (which includes $159 billion for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq) to begin development of a second engine source for the Pentagon's single-engine F-35 fighter, the largest defense program in history.


Read more: Defense Secretary Gates Against Second Engine Maker - TIME

 

[bodecea]

Let me guess before reading, in some congressperson's congressional district is the manufacturing plant.

 

[uscitizen]

LOL guess who want to also make the engine? GE.
And Where? In Ohio

Lobbyists and paybacks, etc are so transparent to those who pay attention.

 

[whitehall]

Ike Skelton (D) Mo. was chairman of the House Armed Services committee. Several companies associated with jet engines are located in Missouri including Infotech Aerospace Services in St. Louis. Congressman Skelton was sent packing in November.

 

[NYcarbineer]

Let me guess before reading, in some congressperson's congressional district is the manufacturing plant.

Boehner's and Cantor's districts have interests in this make-work project.

This is a gem of an example why the budget problems will never be solved by politicians.

 

[Political Junky]

Let me guess before reading, in some congressperson's congressional district is the manufacturing plant.

Boehner's and Cantor's districts have interests in this make-work project.

This is a gem of an example why the budget problems will never be solved by politicians.

Exactly.