“F-35” Caucus Forms to Protect Program from Budget AxDecember 02, 2011
 Some lawmakers are forming a “Congressional Joint Strike Fighter Caucus” to try to save the F-35 stealth fighter from budget cuts, according to an article in The Washington Post. The F-35 program from Lockheed Martin — the most expensive military project on record — will likely draw the most attention when Congress formally considers where to cut the federal budget. With the “supercommittee” failing to find $1.2 trillion in budget cuts over 10 years, the deal between the President and Republicans forces $1.2 trillion across-the-board cuts, according to the Post. The F-35 program has had seemingly endless delays and cost overruns. Once set to cost $233 billion for 2,866 planes, projections now cite $385 billion for a far fewer plans, according to the article. Total costs jump to about $1 trillion once maintenance and operating costs are added. That makes it an appealing target for congressional cuts. But about 49 members — Democrats and Republicans — hope to protect the program. Over the years, Lockheed has given $1.3 million in political contributions to these 49 members of Congress, according to the Post's analysis of data provided by the Center for Responsive Politics. “Lockheed Martin supports a wide range of political leaders based on their level of interest and commitment in national security, homeland security and other issues of importance to the corporation, including education and technology,” Lockheed spokesman Tom Casey told the Post. Leon Panetta, the new Defense Secretary, has gone as far as saying the entire program could be on the cutting block. A consolidation of the various versions of the stealth fighter is more likely. |
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