IL HR1481

Encourages Illinois congressional delegation members to vote against $465 million appropriation for an alternate GE F-136 engine for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program

Argues the alternate engine would cost $2.9 billion over 2-3 years for development that is unnecessary given the existing Pratt & Whitney F-135 engine already contracted and tested

States that multiple engine suppliers would require additional spending for parts, production lines, and personnel while reducing the number of Joint Strike Fighter planes produced

Notes President Barack Obama, Defense Secretary Robert Gates, and military officials oppose the alternate engine appropriation and would veto the Defense Authorization Bill if included

Asserts defense spending should be redirected to more vital military programs to address the $13.5 trillion federal deficit