Saxby Chambliss: “Let me say, it is very difficult, any time you have to oppose your subcommittee chairman--and in this case the full…”

“Let me say, it is very difficult, any time you have to oppose your subcommittee chairman--and in this case the full committee chairman--on an issue, particularly two Senators whom I hold in such high esteem. But we do have a disagreement in a very professional way on this issue. At the end of the day, all of us intend to do what is in the best interests of the men and women who fight for America. The F-22A Raptor is the U.S. Air Force's top priority for providing a joint force with air dominance, operational access, homeland and cruise missile defense for the next 20-plus years. The F-22A is a first-of-a- kind multimission fighter aircraft that combines Stealth, supercruise, advanced maneuverability, and integrated avionics to make it the world's most capable combat aircraft. This amendment authorizes a 3-year multiyear procurement contract for the F-22. This is not about spending money, it is about saving money, and it is about good acquisition practices and policy. This amendment will save approximately $235 million as a minimum amount, allowing DOD to use this money for other priorities or allow us, the Congress, to return these dollars to the taxpayers. An independent study, commissioned by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, is the only independent study yet to be done for the F-22 multiyear contract.…”