Mon., July 13, 2009 3:26pm (EDT)

McCain Opposes Funding for More Fighter Jets
By Associated Press
Updated: 3 years ago

WASHINGTON  —  
Chambliss' request for more fighter jets is being opposed by John McCain. (photo by Rob Shenk)
Senator John McCain moved Monday to eliminate almost $2 billion recently inserted into the proposed 2010 defense budget for more fighter jets from Lockheed Martin.

The administration has threatened to veto any defense spending bill that includes money for more F-22s, which are assembled at Lockheed's plant in Marietta, Georgia. The Arizona Republican supports that position and warned that he may not have enough support to get his amendment passed.

Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., joined McCain in filing the amendment to cut the extra $1.75 billion for seven more F-22's. The Senate Armed Services Committee last month narrowly approved the additional funding requested by Georgia Republican Saxby Chambliss.

Levin, the committee's chairman, and McCain voted against the additional funds.