US lawmakers scrap plans to buy fancy jets

Washington, Aug.11 (ANI): House Democratic leaders have said they will not force the Pentagon to buy four new passenger jets for ferrying senior government officials after the reported 330 million dollar move invited all round criticism.

Two of the four planes were to be C-37s - the military equivalent of the fancy Gulfstream 550. The cost of these aircraft was to be included in the 2010 Department of Defense budget.

A spokesman for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she supported the decision, which was expected to face resistance in the Senate.

According to a CBS News report, the 636 billion dollar defense spending bill passed last month by a 400-30 vote included money for cargo jets that Defense Secretary Robert Gates said weren't needed and an alternative engine for the next-generation F-35 Joint Strike Fighter that the Pentagon said was a waste of money.

The bill also included almost 200 million dollars to buy three C-37 jets, two more than the Pentagon requested.

While the jet is not as fancy as the Gulfstream 550, it is considered a cushy ride that is typically reserved for VIP government officials, including members of Congress.

The House measure directed that the two C-37 jets be located at Andrews Air Force Base in the Washington suburbs - a favored departure point for congressional trips. (ANI)