The Obama administration is threatening to veto the 2012 defense authorization bill if it contains language that would prevent money from being used to enhance the Pratt & Whitney F135 engine or would make an effort to revive the canceled General Electric F136 engine for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
"If the final bill presented to the president includes funding or a legislative direction to continue an extra engine program, the president's senior advisers would recommend a veto," the White House statement reads. "The administration strongly objects to the language in section 215, which limits the obligation or expenditure of funds for performance improvements to the F-35 Lightning II propulsion system unless there is competitive development and production of such a propulsion system."
The White House said that improvements may be needed to the F135 engine as it proceeds through tests. It is adamant that the F136 is not necessary and eats up money needed elsewhere in the defense budget.
The White House also objects to language that would require the Pentagon to store the F136 engines and would mandate an engine competition for the nascent U.S. Air Force bomber program.
The administration also threatened a veto over implementation of the New START treaty and the handling of detainees captured during counterterrorism operations.
In addition, the statement contained a laundry list of other objections, including Abrams battle tanks, cyberspace and shipbuilding.
"If the final bill presented to the president includes funding or a legislative direction to continue an extra engine program, the president's senior advisers would recommend a veto," the White House statement reads. "The administration strongly objects to the language in section 215, which limits the obligation or expenditure of funds for performance improvements to the F-35 Lightning II propulsion system unless there is competitive development and production of such a propulsion system."
The White House said that improvements may be needed to the F135 engine as it proceeds through tests. It is adamant that the F136 is not necessary and eats up money needed elsewhere in the defense budget.
The White House also objects to language that would require the Pentagon to store the F136 engines and would mandate an engine competition for the nascent U.S. Air Force bomber program.
The administration also threatened a veto over implementation of the New START treaty and the handling of detainees captured during counterterrorism operations.
In addition, the statement contained a laundry list of other objections, including Abrams battle tanks, cyberspace and shipbuilding.
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