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 House Armed Services Committee’s version of the fiscal 2012 defense authorization bill has no earmarks, but it has an account of nearly $1 billion set aside to provide money for scores of amendments, adding funds for everything from cancer research to National Guard radio communications. The bill to set defense policy for the coming year is the first in a new era for the U.S. Congress — one in which earmarks are outlawed.
The chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee is proposing a bill that would authorize the creation of a $5 billion American Infrastructure Investment Fund to spur investment in U.S. infrastructure in 2012 and 2013.
The Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) is hoping the White House will withdraw a draft executive order (EO) that would require contractors to disclose certain political donations made in the two years before they bid for U.S. contracting work. The requirement drafted in April would infringe on the contracting process and inhibit free speech, AIA President Marion Blakey said in a May 5 letter to President Barack Obama.
