NATIONAL SECURITY: Congress needs to fully fund the Joint Strike Fighter

Bipartisan cooperation and agreements can be hard to find these days, but some issues just simply should invite immediate agreement.  So, while we probably will not have any agreement on just how much voter fraud did or did not affect the Presidential election, one issue that we should all agree on is supporting and funding for the U.S. Military’s F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter.

Lockheed Martin's  F-35 is the world’s most sophisticated weapons system. It provides a strategic and tactical advantage for the US and its allies, including Israel.

Israel, which has two fully-operational squadrons of F-35s, is one of a handful of U.S. allies that have ordered the advance fighter jet.

It would be silly to do anything but increase funding for this aircraft.  In addition, the advanced technology that makes the F-35 the world’s most sophisticated fighter relies on a robust supply chain across 48 states and Puerto Rico.  The impact on Florida is significant with thousands of steady jobs being dependent on its manufacture.

The F-35 program is good for taxpayers as well. According to reports, the overall price per jet has now fallen below $80 million. By comparison, the older-generation fighter jets like the F-15 are costing more in maintenance per plane with much less capability. We should be investing in a sleek future and not in a clunky past.

The F-35 is keeping America safe and delivering good jobs for Florida at a time when we need it.  Our Congressional delegation needs to be united in supporting it during the funding process.

This is easier said than done, considering that the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives could push back on the cost of the jets ordered, or ask for a scaledown of the order.

Again, you can’t put a price tag on Freedom. Because the U.S. is considered the police of the world, and because nations like Russia, China, and Iran are actively trying to subvert America’s influence around the world, not having the most sophisticated and advanced military is not an option.