Pingree Fights to End Wasteful Program for Jet Engine, Redirect Funding to Troops, Deficit Reduction

Press Release

Congresswoman Pingree's proposed amendment would cut half a billion dollars for "alternative" engine program

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree is continuing a fight to end funding for a controversial jet engine program and redirect the funding to reduce the deficit and replace much needed equipment for the National Guard and Reserves.

"Spending nearly half a billion dollars this year on a jet engine that the Pentagon doesn't want is a huge waste of resources," Pingree said. "That money is needed to meet the critical needs of the Guard and Reserve and to reduce the deficit and not to prop up a weapons program that is completely unnecessary."

Pingree has proposed an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that would cut $485 million for a so-called "alternative engine" program for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Pratt & Whitney won the design competition for the F-35 engine nearly ten years ago, but General Electric and Rolls Royce have fought to keep an "alternative engine" program alive. Pingree said the campaign for the second engine is typical of wasteful defense spending.

"Frankly, GE is being a bit of a sore loser," Pingree said. "Pratt & Whitney won the competition so that should be the end of the story. Unfortunately the lobbyists and their friends in Congress have kept the second engine program alive--at a tremendous cost to taxpayers."

Pingree said she hopes her amendment will be on the floor tomorrow.

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