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.
SHORT WEEK: House lawmakers return May 31 for a short but jam-packed week; the Senate is on recess, though Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) will hear testimony about Strategic Command’s fiscal 2012 budget request. The defense appropriations process gets underway June 1. The House Appropriations defense subcommittee will take the first crack at the defense spending bill. Aides and industry sources say areas to watch include Army programs (Aerospace DAILY, May 27), satellite funding, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and upgrades to the F-22 Raptor.
The defense budget season kicks into high gear next week, doubling down on existing fights over U.S. Army vehicles and missile defenses. The House Appropriations defense subcommittee takes up its version of the defense spending bill June 1. Though members remain mum about the details, it will cut $9 billion from President Obama’s $553 billion request. “It will be somewhat difficult,” says Rep. C.W. “Bill” Young (R-Fla.), the subcommittee chairman. “But we will not affect the soldier. We will not affect readiness.”
The chairman of the House Transportation Committee insists the FAA reauthorization bill is “close, very close” to a resolution. Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.) says he is working with House leadership on the timing of a vote and securing a “gentlemen’s agreement” on the remaining conference issues in the bill.
