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Morning Briefing: Capitol Hill Lawmakers Dismiss Veto Threat Hanging Over Defense Bill
Friday, June 26, 2009
9:30 AM

House and Senate defense authorizers have summarily dismissed the administration's veto threat over continued funding for the F-22 fighter jet and development of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter's (JSF's) alternative engine program. Yesterday, the Senate Armed Services Committee approved its fiscal year (FY) 2010 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), recommending $1.75 billion to buy seven additional F-22s as well as funding for the JSF's alternative engine. Across the Capitol, the full House yesterday passed its version of the NDAA (H.R. 2647), which authorizes $369 million in advance procurement funds for F-22s in FY 2011 and $603 million for development and procurement of the JSF's alternative engine program.

The final FY 2010 NDAA, to be negotiated later by House and Senate lawmakers, will contain only recommended funding levels. Defense appropriators will draft the actual spending figures (a.k.a. "budget authority") for Pentagon programs. The House and Senate Defense appropriations bills are expected to be unveiled in July.




House leaders send cap-and-trade legislation to the floor. The House Democratic leadership has scheduled floor debate on legislation aimed at reducing greenhouse gases emitted by electric utilities and oil companies via a "cap-and-trade" system. The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (H.R. 2454) would also mandate that electricity suppliers meet certain benchmarks with respect to renewable energy. Today's Washington Post reports on the outlook.

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Annual spending bills move forward. The House today is expected to finish debate on the FY 2010 Interior & Environment appropriations bill (H.R. 2996). During yesterday's floor debate, the body adopted the following amendments:

  • Smith (TX) - Allocates $25 million for the Forest Service’s Law Enforcement and Investigations drug enforcement efforts, including removal of marijuana sites and clandestine methamphetamine labs from the National Forest System and interdiction of drug traffickers on NFS lands that share a common border with Canada and Mexico.

  • Garrett (NJ) - Adds $2 million for land conservation partnerships authorized by the Highlands Conservation Act, and reduces funding for construction, repair, improvement, extension, alteration, and purchase of fixed equipment or facilities of, or for use by, the Environmental Protection Agency by $2 million.

The Senate was moving towards a final vote on the Legislative Branch spending legislation at presstime.




© Copyright Capitol Hill Reports, Inc. (2009). No claim to original government works.