Congress (Air)Lifts Defense Budget

The disagreements between the Administration and Congress over Defense appropriations dates back to before the Constitution to during the times of the War for Independence. That struggle of ideas, concepts and best interests continues today.


Photo: C-17 at McChord AFB shows Mt. Rainier in the background.


The House defense appropriators have added $2.2 billion to the Administration’s $75.5 billion war supplemental to buy eight more C-17s as well as other aircraft. The Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, Cong. Dave Obey, released a statement justifying the additional C-17s by saying it would allow the USAF to decommission some C-5s – an action Congress has previously denied. The House’s bill summary is here.