Senator Collins’ F-35 Influence Campaign Exposes Rot in Military-Industrial Lobbying Ecosystem: How Contractor Cash Shapes National Security Policy
Original framing: “Lockheed Martin Showered Susan Collins With Cash as F-35 Program Hit Turbulence” — The Intercept
The F-35 program’s troubles are not isolated but part of a long history of U.S. military procurement failures, from the B-1B bomber’s cost overruns in the 1980s to the F-22 Raptor’s delays and budget bloat in the 2000s. Each of these programs was championed by defense contractors and congressional allies despite clear warnings from auditors and military leaders. The 1990s Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process also revealed how defense spending decisions were often driven by political favoritism rather than strategic necessity, with contractors benefiting from prolonged procurement cycles. This historical pattern shows that the current F-35 controversy is a symptom of a deeper, recurring issue: the co-optation of military policy by an industry that profits from delay and overproduction.