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Larson Questions Air Force Explanation for Tanker Choice

March 13, 2008

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IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 14, 2008

Contact:Emily Barocas/202-225-7295/202-593-1377

LARSON QUESTIONS AIR FORCEEXPLANATION FOR TANKER CHOICE

Washington, DC-- Members of the Connecticutdelegation met with the Air Force this morning to be debriefed on the sourceselection process for the KC-x Tanker Program. While, the information the Air Force was limited in their ability toshare specifics because of Boeing's pending protest, many important and basicquestions still need to be answered.

Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01), who called for the meeting, saidafterwards,

"I am still notconvinced of the merits of the Northrup Grumman tanker. The Air Force was unableto give us a clear explanation of why the Northrup Grumman -EADs plane waschosen over one that would be built in this country by Boeing and Pratt andWhitney. It appears on most factorsthat planes were rated equally.

It also seems asthough the Air Force gave no consideration to the dangers of outsourcing ourmilitary technology to foreign companies. TheAir Force itself is caught up in the negative impacts of globalization. They gave no consideration to the importance of maintaining a criticalmass of trained and skill workers in this country who can take on any crisis wemay face in the future.

There are many issues that we inCongress will need to take a closer look at. One is the claims filed against EADs for receiving illegal subsidies fromthe European Union. Those subsidiesmake for an uneven playing field between the competing companies.

Congress has aConstitutional responsibility to remedy the situation. That is why upcoming hearings are so important."

Issues:Defense