When it comes to bringing the dead back to life, Congress is dogged in reviving defense programs that the Pentagon wants to kill. The 2010 defense budget, like others before it, was submitted to lawmakers without funding requests for military aircraft or equipment no longer desired. But once the House got to work on the budget plan, money was restored to buy new engines for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, 10 more C-17 cargo planes, and the VH-71 presidential helicopter program—all of which President Barack Obama does not want.

 

Killing defense programs means taking away jobs in congressional districts, and lawmakers are reluctant to give up jobs…and votes..

-Noel Brinkerhoff

 

Defense Bill Breathes New Life into Canceled Programs (by Megan Scully and Humberto Sanchez, CongressDaily)