Scandalous Comparison

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) yesterday compared F-35 program cost growth with Solyndra, the bankrupt solar manufacturing firm that failed after receiving a $535 million government loan guarantee.

"I will tell you the cost overruns on the F-35 equal 12 Solyndras," Durbin said during a June 13 Senate Appropriations defense subcommittee hearing.

Durbin's math would put the F-35's cost growth at $6.4 billion, a sum the Pentagon would no doubt gladly accept in light of actual schedule delays and cost increases.

GAO today issued a report that pegs F-35 cost growth at $162.7 billion, roughly equal to 304 Solyndras.