Before concluding the confirmation hearing, Committee Chairman Sen. John Warner (R-Va.) said he is urging the rest of the Senate to proceed with an up or down vote on the nomination. “I have the feeling … it will be up,” he added before dropping the gavel.
The new defense reconciliation bill includes $7.2 billion for Air Force and Navy aviation accounts, almost half of which will buy more F-15EXs. While electronic warfare, drones, connectivity and airlift all get attention, the F-35 was conspicuously absent from the package, with no explanation given.