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.
The chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee says privatizing the Transportation Security Administration’s workforce can save the government $1 billion. In a floor speech Thursday, Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.), says the committee will release a report today that shows the “substantial savings” that can be realized with private screening. Mica was on the floor proposing an amendment to the Homeland Security appropriations bill for fiscal 2012 that would cut funding for TSA.
The House Appropriations defense subcommittee approved a spending bill June 1 that cuts $9 billion from defense – largely by capturing money from programs that were running behind schedule or from unspent funds, according to committee members. Programs that took a hit in the fiscal 2012 spending measure include the Lockheed Martin Medium Extended Air Defense System (Meads), though members of Congress were reluctant to spell out details, which are embargoed until the committee releases its report on the bill June 9.
The House Appropriations defense subcommittee’s version of the defense appropriations bill slashes $2.3 billion from research and development accounts compared to what President Obama had requested and $524 million from the U.S. Army’s troubled Enhanced Medium Altitude Reconnaissance and Surveillance System (Emarss). The subcommittee is scheduled to debate and vote on the Republicans’ draft of the bill on June 1.
