Based in Washington, Jen managed Aviation Week’s worldwide defense, space and security coverage from 2013 to January 2024.
Prior to taking on the Executive Editor 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.
Congress passed a “minibus” spending bill Nov. 17 that provides fiscal 2012 funding for the FAA and NASA while continuing to pay for the Defense Department at fiscal 2011 levels. The bill, which passed both chambers before a continuing resolution funding the government expired on Nov. 18, reflects the budget-cutting mood in Washington, carving $924 million out of the NASA budget.
Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) is bringing back an amendment that would force the administration to sell 66 Lockheed Martin F-16 C/D fighter jets to Taiwan. The Senate defeated the amendment in a 48-48 vote during debate on a China currency bill last month. While the amendment was opposed by a number of senators who, like Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), thought it would set a bad precedent for weapons sales, others simply voted no because they had concerns about the bill it was attached to.
House Republican lawmakers are asking Defense Secretary Leon Panetta for more information about the Obama administration’s missile defense plans — and whether they include sidelining a future component of the nation’s European missile shield. The congressmen, led by Rep. Michael Turner (R-Ohio,) chairman of the House Armed Services strategic forces subcommittee, say the administration also may cut short plans to buy additional Ground-based Interceptors (GBIs).
