It's been interesting to see F-35 authorizations rise during various committee hearings this fall. First, we get an extra six -Bs to fulfill its unfunded requirements, the justification being those are to replace the Harriers lost during the Camp Bastion attack, an argument the USMC has been trying for the last few cycles. Congress adds an additional 12 Super Hornet (split between E/F/Gs) orders to fulfill a Navy unfunded priority, but only two of eight unfunded -Charlies are authorized. The last five F-35 were split between -Bs and -As, noting that the USAF did not request additional F-35As.
Looking at the funding that was actually included in the bill, it is apparent that these aircraft will be produced using AP funding from prior years, and modification and O&S funds from somewhere else. The theory that production slots and long lead items availability allow it to happen fairly painlessly seems valid.
Finally, my cynical side see a bit more than a coincidence between 12 Boeing Supers and 11 Lockheed Martin F-35s. I'd wager some "handshakes" were made.