Dodd, Lieberman Laud Senate Vote to Cancel Alternate Engine Earmark

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) lauded the unanimous adoption of the Lieberman-McCain amendment to cancel an earmark for the alternate engine, restore funding to support the Marine Corps procurement of the UH-1Y Huey helicopters for operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, and restore funding for the development of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

"Connecticut's workers are the best in the world, and today's vote was a testament to that fact," said Dodd. "This is welcome news after the disappointing developments from earlier this week regarding the F-22. Our machinists, technicians, and engineers deserve our undivided support, for the work they do saves American lives. And I will keep working as hard as I can to defend them, just as hard as they work for us each and every day."

"The Senate sent a strong message today that we support programs that keep us safe, and will eliminate funding for programs that do not keep us safe," Lieberman said. "The Department of Defense has long said that it neither wants nor intends to use an engine other than the one currently produced by Pratt & Whitney. Today's vote not only saves our country money when we can least afford to waste our limited resources, but also reinstates critical funding FOR the Joint Strike Fighter program and to the United States Marine Corps."

During a voice vote held earlier today, the Senate voted to require the Secretary of Defense to make certain certifications with respect to the development of an alternative propulsion system for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program before funds may be obligated or expended for such a system. Additionally, the vote returned critically needed funds to both the United States Marine Corps and the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program.