Let’s Make a Deal

Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.), whose House Appropriations defense panel just opted to add 12 F-22 Raptors to the 2010 defense spending bill, told reporters following his announcement of the markup that he believes a deal can be struck with the Obama Administration. According to an Associated Press report, Murtha said, “We’ll work it out. In the end, the bill won’t be vetoed.” One defense consultant told AP, a compromise might mean not getting as many additional Raptors as lawmakers would like—which some have said is at least 20 more aircraft—and with the production slowed to stretch over more years.