Position Paper

The White House doesn't care for the Senate Appropriations Committee's plan to add $2.5 billion to the Pentagon's fiscal year 2010 budget for 10 unrequested C-17s -- but not enough to threaten a veto. Funding for the Air Force cargo aircraft is one of only a few friction points the administration has with the Senate appropriators' proposed spending package, spelled out in a just-issued statement of administration policy.

The administration commends the committee for its support for the termination of programs that are no longer needed or are not performing as intended. The administration appreciates that the committee does not include unrequested funding for three such programs that could result in a veto -- unrequested advance procurement funding for the F-22 fighter aircraft, the continued development of the Joint Strike Fighter Alternate Engine, and additional funding for the VH-71 Presidential Helicopter Program. The Congress is urged to oppose funding these programs during floor action and in conference.