White House Threatens Defense Spending Bill Veto
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White House Threatens Defense Spending Bill Veto
The White House is threatening to veto a $680 billion military-spending bill if the measure includes money for jet fighters the Pentagon doesn’t even want.
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WASHINGTON (June 24, 2009)--Preparing for a possible showdown with Congress, the White House has threatened to veto a $680 billion military spending bill if it contains money for jet fighters the Pentagon doesn't even want.

In a statement of administration policy, President Barack Obama's Office of Management and Budget said the $369 million a House committee added to the bill for 12 additional F-22 fighters runs counter to the "collective judgment" of the military's top leaders.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates wants to end production of the radar-evading F-22 after 187 aircraft have been built.

Last week, in a preview of the White House's veto threat, Gates called the funding boost a "big problem."

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