Next week the U.S. House of Representatives will vote on an amendment (introduced by Rep. Rooney (R-FL) and Rep. Larson (D-CT) to eliminate funding for the alternative engine for the military’s joint strike fighter. The engine that the military wants is being developed by Pratt and Whitney and is nearing completion. The alternative engine is being developed by GE and some estimates have it 3-5 years away from deployment which could be an additional $3-5 billion. This alternative engine has been consistently added to the budget by the earmark process in spite of Secretary Gates, and before him, Secretary Rumsfeld’s opposition to it.
We have a real opportunity next week to push back against earmarks and to cut out wasteful spending by eliminating funding for an unwanted engine. Please call Representative Guinta’s office in Manchester at 641-9536 and ask him to vote for the Rooney/Larson amendment to cut wasteful spending in Washington by ending the funding for the alternative engine.