LARSON RESPONDS TO PROPOSED DEFENSE CUTS TO F-22 PROGRAM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 6, 2009

LARSON RESPONDS TO PROPOSED DEFENSE CUTS TO F-22 PROGRAM

Washington, DC – Today, the Defense Department announcedtheir outline for the FY2010 defense budget, which included major cuts toprograms like the F-22 fifth generation fighter plane. U.S. CongressmanJohn B. Larson (CT-01), Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, said:

“The defense budget thatSecretary Robert Gates announced today offers some promising developments andreforms in defense acquisitions, but it also laid the groundwork for one changethat I am extremely concerned about. The drastic cutback of the F-22program would mean serious economic consequences and negatively impact nationalsecurity for the entire nation. I will work with my colleagues to protectthis program that is absolutely vital to Connecticut’s workforce.

“The F-22 is the onlyfifth generation air dominance fighter plane in use today. It representsa technical and tactical achievement for our military that will be particularlyimportant to protect our homeland against the emerging threats. Endingthis program will seriously limit our Air Force and leave us vulnerable inmilitary conflicts that could arise. Keeping the technical know-how andmanufacturing ability in Connecticut, and the 43 other states that help buildthis advanced aircraft, is incredibly important to our future nationalsecurity.

“Maintaining a robust manufacturingbase is also vital to our local and national economy as we see good jobsdisappear and average Americans face tough times because of mistakes made bypaper-pushers on Wall Street. Connecticut has always been a leader inhigh-tech manufacturing and we pride ourselves on being home to jobs where realAmericans make real products that help our nation and advance oureconomy. The curtailment of the F-22 program could mean a loss of nearly100,000 jobs across 44 states. Our nation cannot afford that kind of blowright now, not when we are experiencing such severe crises in other parts ofour manufacturing sector like the auto industry. We must smooth thetransition to the high-tech manufacturing economy that will mean prosperity forthis nation for generations to come, not deal our manufacturing industryanother fatal blow.

“We have beenthrough this before. The Pentagon makes a recommendation then Congress acts. Wehave won this fight before and we will win it again and keep these jobs inConnecticut.”

###