Politics | F-22 fighter jet Obama Picks Up Steam in Congress Over F-22 Funds Lawmakers had opposed Prez's bid to cut money By Matt Cantor Posted Jul 21, 2009 10:29 AM CDT Copied Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., left, talks with the committee's ranking Republican Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., on Capitol Hill, June 16, 2009. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) In a shift, the White House looks likely to win over Congress in its bid to cut $1.7 billion in funding for the F-22 fighter jet, Politico reports. Congress had looked set to support the measure last week, but the administration is pressing hard with Defense Secretary Robert Gates leading the charge. And Democrats don’t want to undercut Obama at a key moment on health care when polls suggest his support is waning. Both parties are represented on each side of the debate: the Senate Armed Services Committee’s chairman as well as ranking Republican John McCain are backing the White House. Republican Sens. Judd Gregg and Mike Enzi have suggested they’ll also support cutting the funds. Meanwhile, John Kerry, who has opposed Obama on the matter, may be central to the decision. Read These Next Doctor left her Alaskan cruise and never returned. Actor Michael Madsen is dead at 67. Police shot a bank robber as a drone delivered some Faygo Red Pop. Extremely rare bat-borne virus claims a human life. Report an error