Editorial omitted a key congressman
Rep. Steve Israel (D-Dix Hills) Credit: Howard Schnapp
In ["Congress hits an easy bullseye," Opinion, Feb. 21] about the defunding of the F-35 Joint Striker Fighter by the House of Representatives, it was correctly noted that this program for an alternate jet engine, made by General Electric and Rolls-Royce, is not wanted by the Defense Department.
Both President Barack Obama and former President George W. Bush have tried to stop it. The saving from this defunding is noteworthy, $450 million next year, and $3 billion the year after.
You also properly identified House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) and others for trying to keep this program alive.
What Newsday failed to mention is that this project has been alive and well for years under the leadership of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).
While your editorial chastises Boehner and the Republican delegation from Indiana and Ohio, you omitted my congressman, Rep. Steve Israel (D-Dix Hills). While four of the five Long Island members of Congress voted to end the funding, Israel voted to continue it. It is about time that your editorials stop being so blatantly biased and hypocritical. Try being evenhanded for a change.
Brian P. Pryor, Centerport