The Bush Administration has put Congressional appropriators on notice that it will tolerate no more than a $4 billion cut to its 2007 defense budget request, reports Government Executive. House and Senate negotiators wanted to cut defense funding by nearly $6 billion to free up funds to restore cuts proposed for programs such as education and health care.
F-35As from the Vermont Air National Guard have deployed to Puerto Rico in recent days, continuing a major buildup of U.S. Air Force assets in Latin America aimed at combating drug trafficking and pressuring the regime of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.

