Bill S.1390, F-22 Funding Bill, Heading to Senate – A.P.

The Associated Press reports that Senate Bill 1390, the bill authorizing $1.75 billion dollars for the purchase of seven more F-22 fighter jets is heading toward the Senate for a vote this week.  Secretary of Defense Gates as well as the President is against this because they want the money to be used in a way that they consider to be more critical for defense needs.

The real argument here is whether or not the legislative branch or the executive branch should have the right to decide where defense dollars (or any other type of dollars) go.  Traditionally only the Congress has been allowed to decide these matters. This is a very important fight for reasons far beyond seven F-22s.  In any human organization whoever controls the purse, ultimately controls the agenda.  That is the real issue here.  Here is the story.

UPDATE: 3:53 PM EST:  The Senate has voted to support the President’s request.  The money for the extra seven F-22’s is struck out of the bill.  The story is here.