The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM Union) praised on Mar. 26 a group of 126 bipartisan members of Congress who signed a letter urging strong funding for the F-35 Lightning II and F135 engine programs in the Fiscal Year 2027 defense budget.
The union said this action is important because it supports jobs for its members and helps maintain U.S. air power. The letter, led by Representatives Marc Veasey, Michael Turner, John Larson, and John Rutherford, asks Congress to back priorities such as buying at least 85 F-35 aircraft with related engines, authorizing multiyear procurement, continuing investments in sustainment, making critical modernization upgrades, and providing more funds for the F135 Engine Core Upgrade.
IAM Union members are involved in building the F-35 at Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth facility and producing engines at Pratt & Whitney plants in Connecticut and other locations across the country. “The F-35 is the most advanced fighter aircraft in the world, and continued investment in this program is essential to maintaining U.S. air superiority and national defense,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. “It is encouraging to see 126 members of Congress, from both sides of the aisle, standing up for our members who build this aircraft and help keep our military members safe.”
According to the congressional letter referenced by IAM Union officials, more than 290,000 high-skilled jobs are supported by the F-35 and its engine across over 1,900 suppliers nationwide—about half of which are small businesses.
Lawmakers also called on their colleagues to grant multiyear procurement authority for a program that entered Full-Rate Production in 2023 with delivery of 191 jets last year. They requested further investments next year into spare parts for Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps fleets following $1.44 billion allocated previously for sustainment efforts.
IAM Union leaders said they will continue advocating robust funding as Congress works through upcoming defense authorization legislation.
