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.
Aerospace lobbyists say the FAA reauthorization bill has the best chance of passing of all its 18 extensions. Insiders speculate that top Republicans working in conference on the bill will eventually trade away the National Mediation Board regulation to get this one legislative victory. Congress remains on spring recess this week, giving key staffers more time without members to lay the groundwork for a compromise by the May 31 deadline.
In the midst of the political and financial uncertainty of the last five years, aerospace and defense companies increased spending in one key area: Washington lobbying. The numbers are striking. The air transport industry spent $51.6 million onK Street in 2005. By 2010, the amount shot up to $88.7 million. And the defense aerospace industry went from spending $32.2 million in 2005 to $59.4 million by the end of the decade.
Jen DiMascio (Washington), Frank Morring, Jr. (Colorado Springs)
If the Obama administration wants to realize its goal of deepening space cooperation with China, it will have to circumvent Rep. Frank Wolf (R-Va.), the chairman of the House Appropriations subcommittee that controls NASA's purse strings.
