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.
What does inaction by the U.S. Congress on the federal deficit mean? According to Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, it means no more Joint Strike Fighter. No new bomber. No Littoral Combat Ships and no Ground Combat Vehicle program. The Budget Control Act in August set up a Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction to find at least $1.2 trillion in deficit cuts. And if Congress fails to pass a deficit-reduction plan by Jan. 15, 2012, the defense budget would undergo $600 billion in automatic cuts over the next 10 years.
SASC MARK: The Senate Armed Services Committee unanimously amended its defense authorization bill for fiscal 2012 on Nov. 15, cutting an additional $21 billion out of the bill it passed earlier this year. The new bill also changes provisions regarding military detentions that President Barack Obama had opposed. Although senators had predicted the full Senate would begin debate on the bill before Thanksgiving, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) told reporters that consideration is likely to slide until after the holiday break.
The FAA’s Next Generation air traffic control system is flying past steep cuts levied on many other government programs. The House and Senate this week are poised to consider an FAA spending bill for fiscal 2012, signed off on a by a conference committee, that provides about $800 million for core NextGen programs.
