LARSON HAILS PENTAGON TANKER ANNOUNCEMENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 10, 2008

CONTACT: Emily Barocas/ 202-225-7295

LARSON HAILS PENTAGON TANKER ANNOUNCEMENT

Washington, DC – Today, the Pentagon announced that itwill delay rebidding of the Air Force’s mid-air refueling tanker program untilthe next administration. Officials citedtiming costs as their main consideration.

Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01), Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus, said,

“I am thrilled withthe Pentagon’s announcement that it will delay the rebid on the Air Forcemid-air refueling tanker program. Thisis too serious a matter to rush to a quick decision on. And, too important an issue to our nationalsecurity to hold another flawed bidding process. The Pentagon has finally made a responsibledecision. I am confident that at the end of a fair bidding process the Boeingplane with Pratt & Whitney parts will be deemed superior. I am further certain that the Americanworkforce, so highly skilled in the aerospace industry, will prevail. Because of pressure from Congress, thePentagon must now take into account the impact this contract will have on theAmerican workforce. This change is ahuge boost for the American people, our economy and our national securityindustry.”

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