Connecticut Delegation Demands Answers on Tanker Decision
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 5, 2008
Contact: Contact For Larson - EmilyBarocas /202-225-7295/202-593-1377
ForDeLauro - Adriana Surfas/202-225-3661
ForShays - Dave Natonski/202-225-5541
ForCourtney - Brian Farber/202-225-2076
ForMurphy - Kristen Bossi/202-225-4476
CONNECTICUTDELEGATION DEMANDS ANSWERS ON TANKERDECISION
FROMAIR FORCE
Washington, DC-- Members of theConnecticut Congressional Delegation are requesting a briefing from the AirForce on their decision to award the Tanker KC-X contract to Northup Grumman andforeign-based EADS Corp over American-based Boeing. The Air Force should answer questions about how they made their decisionand why, given the current economic and security situations our country faces. The delegation is particularly concerned because the decision impactsthousands of much needed Connecticutjobs. The Boeing planes includedengines produced by Pratt and Whitney and electrical systems from HamiltonSundstrand.
Defense projects that have been outsourced to foreigncountries have experienced significant delays and excessive cost overruns. The current Marine One helicopter contract awarded to Lockheed Martin andits British-Italian Partner, AgustaWestland-Finmeccanica, is billions of dollarsover budget.
Given the size and importance of the tanker project, the Air Force has aresponsibility to explain the basis of their decision to Members of Congress andmore importantly, to the American people.
Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01) said, "Thefact that the Air Force did not even stop to consider the impact their decisionwould have on American jobs and the economy is very telling. Facedwith a similar dilemma with their A400M project, European countries tossed outan American contractor in favor of local manufacturing. Yet, this is not the first time the Department of Defense has decided toship jobs and contracts overseas rather than keep them in this country. Most recently the Marine One contract went to a company in Europe. The project is now over budget andnot on time. We can't afford tohave that happen with a project of the magnitude of the Tanker KC-X. For the security of our country and our future, the Air Force shouldconsider our nation's core manufacturing base. By keeping these jobs in Americawe are preparing our workforce of the future to handle any challenges we mayface. Connecticutused to be called the Arsenal of our Democracy because of the state's abilityto produce what was necessary to build the mightiest military. The Air Force should not be complicit in disassembling that achievement. We can't rely on global mercenaries to propel the mightiest Air Forcein the world."
"Awarding this AirForce Tanker contract to European Airbus continues a pattern of outsourcing ourdefense capability to foreign companies. Thisis harmful not only to our economy and our workforce, but also to our long-termnational security interests," said Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-3). Giventhe current economic downturn, this decision is made even worse. The Air Forcemust explain this decision and I look forward to meeting with them." "Further, the Air Force turned a blind-eye to the opportunity to secure thebest product at the best value for the taxpayer while strengthening the economyand creating American jobs.
Christopher Shays (CT-04) said, "It seems to me, allowing the overseas manufacture of this criticalrefueling tanker program may present a security risk and harms the ability of U.S.manufacturers to compete with the European market."
Chris Murphy (CT-05) said, "I have serious questions about how an important defense projectcontract critical to our national security could go to a conglomerate basedlargely on foreign soil while our skilled workers and defense capabilities couldbe sitting idle. I am looking forward to meeting with the Air Force as soon aspossible to find out how this decision was made, and if there is reason toreconsider it."
"This is a surprisingly short-sighted decision by the Air Force. The KC-767 is a low risk and proven platform for our aerial refuelingneeds. This shocking decisiondemands further Congressional scrutiny and as a member of the House ArmedServices Committee I will demand answers from the Air Force. This announcement continues an alarming trend of awarding major defensecontracts to heavily subsidized foreign competitors over our own domesticdefense industry. As we learn moreabout how the Air Force made its choice, I look forward to working closely withthe ConnecticutDelegation to review and possibly challenge this unfortunate decision," saidCongressman Joe Courtney (CT-02)