Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) has taken exception to the addition of unsolicited VIP jet aircraft for USAF in the 2010 defense spending bill passed July 30 by the full House, noting that Americans are “tightening their belts” in these tough economic times. The House Appropriations Committee added money to fund three C-37s (modified Gulfstream Vs) not just the two aircraft USAF requested—that will be used primarily to transport lawmakers and top government officials. According to a FoxNews.com report, a committee staffer argued the add-on would simply speed the replacement of old aircraft and save money in the end. Continue
The Senate voted Nov. 10 to approve a stopgap funding bill that would reopen the federal government and keep it funded through January, a significant step toward ending the longest shutdown in U.S. history.
