Based in Washington, Jen manages Aviation Week’s worldwide defense, space and security coverage.
Prior to taking on her current role, Jen was Aviation Week's Congressional Editor. Jen came to Aviation Week in March 2011 from Politico, where she covered the intersection of defense and politics. She also worked as a reporter and editor for Defense Daily, Inside the Army, The Other Paper and The Columbus Dispatch.
Jen received a Master’s degree in journalism as a Kiplinger Fellow at the Ohio State University. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in history and journalism from the University of Michigan.
Discussions are under way that could significantly change the prospects for passing the first FAA reauthorization bill since the last one expired in 2007. Lawmakers may remove a toxic labor provision from the FAA bill and offer an amended version as a standalone bill, confirms Rep. Jerry Costello (D-Ill.), chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure aviation subcommittee.
SASC CUTS: The U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee has pulled $21 billion out of its fiscal 2012 defense authorization bill. That includes more than $3 billion in reductions to U.S. Army spending, which aligns the bill with Army plans to terminate its version of the Joint Tactical Radio System.The new bill reduces Air Force investment accounts by nearly $1.5 billion, including cuts to the A-10 and Amraam missile. It also reduces war spending by $5 billion and transfers nearly that much from base budget operation and maintenance accounts.
What does inaction by the U.S. Congress on the federal deficit mean? According to Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, it means no more Joint Strike Fighter. No new bomber. No Littoral Combat Ships and no Ground Combat Vehicle program. The Budget Control Act in August set up a Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction to find at least $1.2 trillion in deficit cuts. And if Congress fails to pass a deficit-reduction plan by Jan. 15, 2012, the defense budget would undergo $600 billion in automatic cuts over the next 10 years.
