House Version Of Defense Authorization Bill Continues Funding For Alternate Engine Under Certain Conditions

The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW) expressed its support Wednesday for President Obama’s threat to veto the fiscal year (FY) 2012 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) over language that would keep the door open for future funding of the F136 alternate engine program for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). On May 24, 2011, the Obama Administration’s Statement of Administration Policy stated unequivocally, “If the final bill presented to the President includes funding or a legislative direction to continue an extra engine program, the President's senior advisors would recommend a veto.” The FY 2012 authorization bill – passed in the House by a vote of 322-96 – would require the Department of Defense (DOD) to reopen competition between the two engines if the JSF requires upgrades in the future. CCAGW, which has led the opposition to the engine since it was first disclosed as an earmark in 2004, encourages President Obama to use his veto power and end the alternate engine program permanently.

Despite being repeatedly designated as wasteful and unnecessary by both the Bush and Obama administrations, the alternate engine received $1.2 billion in earmarks from FY 2004 through FY 2010. On March 24, 2011, the DOD issued a stop-work order on the $1 million per day alternate engine project, but the GE/Rolls Royce team promised to continue the program with private money until Congress approved more public funds.

On January 6, 2011, Defense Secretary Robert Gates put the misuse of resources into perspective, stating that “every dollar spent on excess overhead or unneeded programs – such as the extra engine for the JSF – is a dollar not available to support our troops and prepare for threats on the horizon.” On February 16, 2011, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen told the House Armed Services Committee, “I mean, I’ve been doing money a long time. I cannot make sense out of this second engine. It is two to three years behind. It’s not going to compete, quite frankly.” One month later, the House of Representatives voted 233-198 in favor of an amendment to eliminate its funding in H.R. 1, the Full-Year Continuing Resolution (CR) for FY 2011. While that bill was rejected by the Senate, the final full-year CR that passed on April 14, 2011 did not include funding for the alternate engine.

“The language of the FY 2012 defense authorization bill is the latest attempt to resuscitate a program that both the President and the Pentagon have wanted to kill for many years,” said CCAGW President Tom Schatz. “We admire the President’s pledge to stand firm on his past promises to prevent the alternate engine’s continued development and to reject the offending legislation. Following through with a veto of this authorization bill would be an important victory for taxpayers and supporters of transparency in government.”

The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW) is the lobbying arm of Citizens Against Government Waste, the nation’s largest nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement in government.

FMI: www.cagw.org