McCain Supports Proposal to Curtail Leasing of Aircraft

MCCAIN SUPPORTS PROPOSAL TO CURTAIL LEASING OF AIRCRAFT

Washington, DC - Senator McCain today issued the following statement regarding Boeing tanker lease proposal.

"This proposal represents an important victory for taxpayers.

"While it's not a perfect outcome, it is a welcomed practical alternative to the original proposal. As I have asserted for many months now, the original proposal was fundamentally and seriously flawed from the start.

McCain continued, "the original proposal is the single worst exploitation and abuse of the system that I have seen in my 20 years of public service. As elected officials, it is our responsibility and duty to put the interests of taxpayers above the private interests of Boeings' shareholders. I am pleased that we have found a way to save taxpayers a significant amount of money and protect their interests in making sure that the tanker fleet is recapitalized the right way."

Finally McCain reiterated his statement by saying, "Let me be clear. With this proposal, we have begun to set a standard. This is a message that there are those in the Senate who will not tolerate backroom deal-making and policy-making done in the dead of night. Particularly, when done at considerable expense to taxpayers. While not a perfect solution by any means, there can be no doubt that this proposal is a victory for taxpayers."