Obama administration objects to $369 million in legislation for more F-22 radar-evading jets

White House threatens defense spending bill veto

WASHINGTON — Preparing for a possible showdown with Congress, the White House has threatened to veto a $680 billion military spending bill if it contains money for jet fighters the Pentagon doesn’t want.

In a statement of administration policy, President Barack Obama’s Office of Management and Budget said the $369 million a House committee added to the bill for 12 additional F-22 fighters runs counter to the “collective judgment” of the military’s top leaders.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates wants to end production of the radar-evading F-22 after 187 aircraft have been built. Last week, in a preview of the White House’s veto threat, Gates called the funding boost a “big problem.”