The Senate defied its majority leader and the threat of a Presidential veto in passing a highly padded version of the 2006 emergency supplemental for the war on terror and hurricane recovery. The more than $14 billion bump up to the Administration request also flies in the face of the House version, which held close to the Administration’s figure of about $92 billion. House leaders say they will not agree to the beefy Senate bill, which includes add-ons ranging from farm subsidies to money for additional C-17s. Sen. Jim Talent (R-Mo.) managed to add approximately $227 million to go toward additional C-17 airlifters.
The Air Force is spending heavily on F-22 improvements through the end of the decade, suggesting it may not retire the jet in 2030 as it previously planned. New sensors, fuel tanks, communications, and electronic warfare systems are among the upgrades that comprise the package.