U.S. House Approves '09 Authorization Bill, Sustaining $200M FCS Cu

The bill will allow the U.S. Air Force to purchase 20 new F-22A fighters.


U.S. House Approves '09 Authorization Bill, Sustaining $200M FCS Cut
By JOHN T. BENNETT
Published: 23 May 12:50 EDT (08:50 GMT)

The U.S. House of Representatives late on May 22 overwhelmingly approved a measure that would clear the Pentagon to spend $601.4 billion on weapon programs, personnel, construction projects, research efforts and other initiatives.

The massive authorization measure, passed 384 to 23, includes $3 billion in research and development funds for the Army's Future Combat Systems program, a $200 million cut to the president's request. The chamber did, however, fully fund the president's $331 million request for 2009 FCS procurement.

During floor debate on the measure, the House soundly axed an amendment offered by Rep. Todd Akin, R-Mo., that sought to revive $193 million of the FCS research funding reduction. Akin proposed freeing up those dollars by cutting military health care and other personnel accounts.

Opponents of the amendment, including Rep. Ike Skelton, D-Mo., chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, argued the reduction would not affect any FCS components slated to be fielded until 2015.

The House bill also would authorize spending $2.2 billion for Abrams tank, Bradley fighting vehicle and Stryker vehicle upgrades, $3.4 billion for armored Humvees and $3.1 billion for helicopter programs.


Rest of article at: http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=3544576&c=AME&s=TOP