Secretary Of Defense Gates Is losing The Budget Wars With Congress

F-22 Production Line

Gates Calls US Congress Move On F-22 Jet a 'Problem' -- AFP

WASHINGTON (AFP) — Defense Secretary Robert Gates said on Thursday a move by US lawmakers to reject his advice and fund the production of a dozen more F-22 fighters was a "big problem."

The US House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday passed an amendment extending production of the F-22 Raptor, a sophisticated stealth fighter aircraft the Pentagon has sought to scrub.

Lawmakers voted 31 to 30 to provide 369 million dollars over two years to purchase parts to construct 12 more of the Raptors, built by Lockheed Martin and Boeing.

"I would say it's a big problem. I have a big problem with it," Gates told reporters when asked about the committee's decision.

The vote was contrary to his recommendations and President Barack Obama's proposed budget, he said.

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Update: Saving The Raptor -- A Commentary from IBDeditorials

My Comment: I have been thinking about this story for the past few days, and I have become to realize that the more that Secretary of Defense Gates complains .... the more that Congress will be determined to authorize the construction of new F-22s.

Using the argument that new F-22s are not necessary in today's conflicts may resonate with a number of experts, media personalities, and military professionals .... and is also probably true .... it will (however) never work with politicians and their constituents back home.

Secretary of Defense may be answerable to the President, but it is Congress that has a say on where the money goes. For a seasoned veteran of the political wars in Washington, Secretary Gates has clearly been out maneuvered by this body on an issue that he had thought was now closed.

The question that I am asking now is what other programs may come back to life .... think missile defense and future combat systems .... and will their funding be restored also. If Secretary Gates cannot accomplish the President's agenda with Congress .... expect him to be gone very soon.