WASHINGTON – Connecticut lawmakers were split Friday over a massive defense bill that would authorize billions of dollars for the state’s defense industry but has provoked a veto threat from President Obama for boosting military spending in an account that’s out of the reach of a spending cap.
F-35
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House panel advances defense bill with billions for Connecticut weapons
WASHINGTON – With the backing of Rep. Joe Courtney, the House Armed Services Committee this week authorized billions of dollars for weapons systems built in Connecticut, including $1.4 billion for a new fund to pay for a new class of nuclear submarines likely to be built by General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton.
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Federal watchdogs knock Pentagon, Pratt on F-35 engine
WASHINGTON — Federal investigators Monday detailed a number of problems with Pratt & Whitney’s F135 engine program for the F-35 fighter jet and urged the Pentagon to be a better watchdog of the program.
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F-35 program facing new challenges
WASHINGTON – Lockheed Martin, maker of the F-35, whose engines are produced by Pratt & Whitney, recently held a glitzy reception in the atrium of the Rayburn House Office Building, complete with a buffet and the chance to “fly” the F-35 in a cockpit simulator, to press home a point — don’t cut funding for the program. The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter faces a host of challenges.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Obama budget would boost CT military spending
WASHINGTON – President Obama’s new budget would dramatically increase spending on F-35s and other military programs that are important to Connecticut’s economy. It would also boost funding of public works and establish a series of new programs aimed at easing the financial burden on students and working families
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Connecticut has winners, losers in $1.1 trillion U.S. spending plan
WASHINGTON – The massive $1.1 trillion omnibus spending bill that Congress struggled to approve – with little help from the state’s Democratic lawmakers – has some clear winners and losers in Connecticut, including Pratt & Whitney, Aetna Inc., food stamp recipients and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.
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Senate to begin debate on bill that would turn Coltsville into national park
WASHINGTON – A massive defense bill that would authorize billions of dollars in spending on Connecticut defense projects — and turn the Hartford’s Coltsville neighborhood into a national park — may face its first test in the Senate today.
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CT lawmakers laud Carter as prospective Pentagon chief
WASHINGTON – Connecticut lawmakers on defense panels lauded presumptive Defense Secretary nominee Ashton Carter, even as the defense industry may be wary about the candidate’s reputation as a cost cutter.
Posted inMoney
House votes to boost spending on Sikorsky ‘copters and F-35’s
Washington – In a boon to Connecticut –based defense contractors, the House on Friday voted overwhelmingly for a defense budget that would increase President Obama’s request for Sikorsky helicopters and for F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, whose engines are produced by Pratt & Whitney.
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Minus Himes, CT lawmakers vote for billions in defense spending
WASHINGTON – With the help of most, but not all of the Connecticut congressional delegation, the House on Thursday approved spending billions of dollars for submarines, helicopters and jets made by the state’s defense contractors.
Posted inPolitics
CT defense giants increasingly political as Pentagon budget shrinks
WASHINGTON – Connecticut’s largest defense contractors are stepping up political donations to key lawmakers as competition increases for shrinking defense dollars.