House Committee Cuts Air Force Flying Hours and Spare Parts Funding
On June 24-25, 2026, the U.S. House Appropriations Committee approved a fiscal year 2027 spending bill that significantly reduces Air Force requests for flying hours by $121 million and spare parts funding by over $2 billion, while increasing research and modernization spending. The cuts, citing unjustified growth, face bipartisan pushback over the Pentagon's record $1.5 trillion budget. The bill now moves to the full House, with a potential government shutdown looming as the Senate has yet to act.
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House Committee Advances FY2027 Spending Bill Cutting Air Force Flying Hours and Programs
The U.S. House Appropriations Committee approved a fiscal year 2027 spending bill that cuts several Air Force programs while boosting others. The bill reduces the Air Force's Flying Hour Program by $121 million from the requested $7.265 billion, citing 'unjustified growth.' The steepest cut targets the Working Capital Fund, slashed by $2.7 billion—a roughly 60% reduction from the requested $4.4 billion. Procurement funding for aircraft, missiles, and ammunition was cut by $1.5 billion to $72 billion. Operations and maintenance fell $726 million to $73 billion, and Space Force funding was reduced by $465 million to $8.8 billion. However, the bill increases research, development, test, and evaluation funding by $1.7 billion to $74 billion, and adds funding for B-52 modernization, additional C-130J aircraft for the Air National Guard, and HH-60W combat rescue helicopters. The bill now proceeds to the full House floor, while the Senate Appropriations Committee has not yet released its version. Lawmakers remain divided on military spending levels, with a potential government shutdown being warned.
Military TimesHouse Committee Advances FY2027 Spending Bill with Air Force Flying Hours Cuts
The U.S. House Appropriations Committee approved a fiscal year 2027 spending bill that reduces funding for several Air Force programs, including a $121 million cut to the Flying Hour Program. The Air Force requested $7.265 billion for flying hours, but the committee recommended $7.144 billion, citing unjustified growth. Other cuts include $2.7 billion from the Working Capital Fund and $1.5 billion from procurement. However, the bill increases research and development funding by $1.7 billion and boosts funding for B-52 modernization, C-130J aircraft for the Air National Guard, and HH-60W rescue helicopters. The bill now goes to the full House for a vote. The Pentagon's record $1.5 trillion budget request has faced bipartisan pushback over concerns about funding for the Iran war and impact on domestic programs, with a Senate warning of a possible government shutdown.
Military TimesHouse committee advances FY2027 spending bill with cuts to Air Force flying hours and other programs
The U.S. House Appropriations Committee has approved a fiscal year 2027 spending bill that cuts several Air Force programs, including a $121 million reduction to the Flying Hour Program, a $2.7 billion cut to the Working Capital Fund, and $1.5 billion in procurement cuts. The bill also reduces operations and maintenance funding by $726 million and Space Force funding by $465 million. However, it increases research, development, test, and evaluation funding by $1.7 billion and boosts spending on B-52 modernization, additional C-130J aircraft for the Air National Guard, and HH-60W combat rescue helicopters. The Pentagon's record $1.5 trillion funding request has faced pushback from lawmakers concerned about its impact on domestic programs and funding for the Iran war. The bill now goes to the full House for a vote, while the Senate has yet to release its version.
Air Force TimesHouse Committee Approves Spending Bill with Cuts to Air Force Flying Hours and Other Programs
The U.S. House Appropriations Committee advanced a fiscal year 2027 spending bill on June 24, 2026, that cuts several Air Force programs amid broader defense budget disputes. The Air Force's Flying Hour Program was reduced by $121 million to $7.144 billion due to 'unjustified growth,' despite a requested increase to boost pilot hours. The Working Capital Fund faced the steepest cut, a 60% reduction from $4.4 billion to $1.7 billion. Procurement funding was cut by $1.5 billion, and operations and maintenance saw a $726 million decrease. However, the committee boosted research, development, test and evaluation funding by $1.7 billion and increased spending on B-52 modernization, additional C-130J aircraft for the Air National Guard, and HH-60W combat rescue helicopters. The bill now moves to the full House for a vote, while the Senate has yet to release its version. Lawmakers remain divided over the Pentagon's record $1.5 trillion request, with some warning of a possible government shutdown.
Air Force TimesHouse Committee Advances FY2027 Spending Bill with Cuts to Air Force Flying Hours
On June 25, 2026, the U.S. House Appropriations Committee approved a fiscal year 2027 spending bill that includes significant cuts to several Air Force programs, most notably a $121 million reduction to the Flying Hour Program. The Air Force had requested $7.265 billion for flying hours, but the committee recommended $7.144 billion, citing 'unjustified growth.' Other cuts include a $2.7 billion reduction to the Working Capital Fund (a 60% slash), a $1.5 billion cut in procurement, and a $726 million decrease for Air Force operations and maintenance. Space Force operations and maintenance were cut by $465 million. However, the bill increases research, development, test, and evaluation funding by $1.7 billion and boosts funding for B-52 modernization, additional C-130J aircraft for the Air National Guard, and HH-60W combat rescue helicopters. The bill now heads to the full House floor. A government shutdown threat looms as the Senate has not yet released its version.
Military TimesHouse Bill Cuts USAF’s Plan for More Parts, Flying Hours
On June 24, the House Appropriations Committee approved a spending bill that significantly reduces the U.S. Air Force's requests for two key budget items. The Air Force had sought to inject over $4 billion from its 2027 budget into a fund for managing spare parts, but the committee allocated less than half that amount. Additionally, the bill cuts the service's flying hours program request by $121 million, from $7.265 billion to $7.144 billion. The legislation now moves to the full House of Representatives for consideration, potentially impacting Air Force readiness and supply chain operations.
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