U.S. Senate panel omits funding for alternate F35 engine

WASHINGTON, Sept 9 (Reuters) - A U.S. Senate subcommittee on Wednesday omitted funding for an alternate engine for the F-35 fighter jet in a victory for the Obama administration, but a setback for contractors General Electric Co (GE.N) and Rolls-Royce Group PLC (RR.L).

The defense appropriations panel forwarded its recommendation to the full committee as part of military spending legislation for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1. The Appropriations Committee is due to vote on the bill on Thursday. (Reporting by Jim Wolf, editing by Maureen Bavdek)