The Mad Scramble to Save Defense Jobs

The Air Force and Navy are facing major cuts so Washington can pay bills on the $5 billion a month Iraq War. But those cuts mean job losses at home and Congressmen are battling to keep jobs in their districts.

• Sen Bill Nelson (D-FL) introduced a bill requiring the Navy to maintain a 12 carrier fleet. USS John F Kennedy, homeported in Florida, is slated for retirement under the Navy's plan.
• The Georgia delegation is lobbying to keep the C-130J and F-22 programs -- both built partly in Georgia.
• And 24 Senators sent a fax to President Bush urging him to save the C-130J. All represent states where part of the plane's built.
  

Killing the C-130J program would save $4.1 billion dollars. Cutbacks to the F-22 program would save $11 billion. That'd pay for three months in Iraq. (Miami Herald)