House cuts F-22 funding, nixes other weapons cuts

[SpartanDem]

House cuts F-22 funding, nixes other weapons cuts
By ANDREW TAYLOR (AP) – 2 hours ago

WASHINGTON — The Democratic-controlled House went along with Defense Secretary Robert Gates' plans to kill the over-budget F-22 fighter jet, but has rejected his efforts to cut off several other big ticket items.

Despite objections and veto threats from the White House, a $636 billion Pentagon spending bill passed by a 400-30 vote Thursday contains money for a much-criticized new presidential helicopter fleet, cargo jets that Gates says aren't needed, and an alternative engine for the next-generation F-35 Joint Strike Fighter that the Pentagon says is a waste of money.

It also contains $128 billion for Pentagon operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, which would bring the total appropriated by Congress for those wars and other efforts to combat terrorism above $1 trillion. The bill rejects Obama's $100 million request for the Pentagon to close the Guantanamo Bay detention center in Cuba.

It's the last of the 12 annual spending bills to come to the House floor as Democrats meet their goal of passing all 12 bills before the August recess.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h6h0viHbg1MRl_JEyD8Jb8XWbbRAD99OUS080

[backscatter712]

1. HEY BLUE DOGS!!!

I thought you were worried about the deficit!!! You showed soooooo much concern with the cost of the health care reform bill.

Here's a chance to show your fiscal responsibility!!!

[dysfunctional press]

2. if we supposedly "won" the cold war under the masterful command of c-in-c Ronbo Raygun...

WHY are we still paying to fight it?

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

4. They are not. They cancelled the F22

Looks like most of the money (as far as big ticket items go) are the new presidential helicopter, F35 JSF, and middle east clusterfuck. None of those are cold-war byproducts.

[dysfunctional press]

8. the defense budget never went down after the 'end' of the cold war...

our level of spending is extremely disproportionate to any actual threats we might face.

most empires that aren't eventually conquered end up destroying themselves from within due to bloated military spending. our story won't be any different.

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

3. If it passed with a 400-30 margin...

There's not much Obama can do about it. Even if he vetos it - it will get shoved through with that 93% yes vote.

[SpartanDem]

7. Yeah it 'd be pointless veto they override it easily

at least he got the F22 out

[BlooInBloo]

5. Gotta start somewhere.

[MidwestTransplant]

6. Countdown until Faux News and other wingnuts criticize Obama for the new helicopter fleet he didn't

want