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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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Congress Relents, Slashes Unwanted Jet Order

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(Newser) – House leaders are slashing their $550 million order for eight new executive jets for use by senior government officials, caving to pressure from fellow lawmakers and the Pentagon, Politico reports. John Murtha’s Defense Appropriations Subcommittee had more than doubled the Pentagon’s original request for $220 million to buy four new jets. Now, Murtha says he’ll nix that extra spending if the Pentagon agrees.

“If the Department of Defense does not want these aircraft, they will be eliminated from the bill,” Murtha said last night, though he pointed out that the planes would have only replaced aging members of the executive fleet, and would cost less to operate. Nancy Pelosi says she supports Murtha’s decision to slash the order, which became an embarrassment to the House after several senators jumped on it, including Armed Services honchos Jack Reed and John McCain.

A gulfstream jet is seen in this file photo.
A gulfstream jet is seen in this file photo.   (Photo: Business Wire)
In this Feb. 6, 2007 file photo, a visitor walks past Gulfstream business jets at the Asia Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition in Hong Kong.
In this Feb. 6, 2007 file photo, a visitor walks past Gulfstream business jets at the Asia Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition in Hong Kong.   (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, File)
In this April 23, 2008 file photo, a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 departs Chicago's Midway Airport.
In this April 23, 2008 file photo, a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 departs Chicago's Midway Airport.   (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)
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4 comments
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vwright1
Aug 11, 09 7:18 AM CDT
keep them honest! Reply
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+3
bewilderbeast
Aug 11, 09 7:58 AM CDT
I don't know what the world is coming to when the great unwashed think they can tell the elite chosen ones what to do (and not do) with their money!! You mark my words, something good will come of this! Reply
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+2
dontlikeyou
Aug 11, 09 9:55 AM CDT
Congress and our government live like Kings as their "subjects" struggle to pay the bills. Vote the assholes out. Reply
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-4
TerrifiedCitizen
Aug 11, 09 1:42 PM CDT
You have to wonder at what may have been the most aggressive back-room negotiations in a while were like. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
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