The F-22 is Downed

Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Carl Levin (D-Mich.)’s amendment to strip funding for the F-22 fighter jet passed five minutes ago on the Senate floor. Levin’s office recorded the vote as 58 in favor and 40 against. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has just won his first major legislative fight over defense reform. It’s a significant victory for McCain as well, who joined his presidential rival Barack Obama to fight against a much-criticized fighter jet with dubious utility in the present threat environment.