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.
Top Republicans on the Senate Armed Services Committee are pressing Defense Secretary Leon Panetta for specific information about the effect of nearly $1 trillion in across-the-board cuts to military spending even as they are working to find a way around that potential penalty. “In order for the Congress do to its job, we cannot wait until December or later to receive specific and concrete information,” say Sens. John McCain (Ariz.) and Lindsey Graham (S.C.) in a Nov. 3 letter to Panetta.
The Obama administration is striking back against potential congressional reductions to programs that would extend the life of the U.S.’s nuclear bombs. The House Appropriations energy and water subcommittee has reduced funding for the National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA) nuclear modernization request by $1.16 billion, and the Senate has removed $732 million from the request, said Thomas D’Agostino, NNSA administrator.
A group of 100 Republican and Democratic lawmakers are urging the super committee to push for $4 trillion in deficit reduction, beyond its current goal of $1.2 trillion. Republicans in the group led by Rep. Heath Shuler (D-N.C.) and Rep. Mike Simspon (R-Idaho) say they’re willing to consider some tax increases, and some Democrats say additional reductions to the defense budget would help rack up the significantly higher target.
