Rep. Bonner Challenges Legislation Designed To Hand Boeing The KC-X Contract

Statement

Rep. Bonner Challenges Legislation Designed To Hand Boeing The KC-X Contract

Congressman Jo Bonner, R-Alabama, said legislation introduced Thursday by pro-Boeing House and Senate lawmakers is yet another attempt to steer the $40 billion KC-X tanker contract to competitor Boeing. Congressman Bonner asked, "What are Boeing and its supporters afraid of?"

"The only way that the American military will get the best possible air tanker is for the Defense Department to conduct a fair competition that weighs aircraft cost and capability," Congressman Bonner said.

"If Boeing believes it offers the superior tanker design, then why is it resorting to desperate legislative tactics engineered to rig the outcome?

"The administration has already made clear its opposition to a sole source tanker contract and any attempt to legislate the outcome of the KC-X tanker competition would stand in stark contrast to what President Obama has said on this matter.

"Sadly, the U.S. military has waited ten long years for the Pentagon to decide on a replacement for the outdated KC-135 tanker. They deserve the very best tanker for the money, and the only way this will happen is if EADS is allowed to compete head-to-head with Boeing.

"The Department of Defense assured EADS that they were qualified to bid as the prime contractor and that there would be a fair competition.

"I call on both the White House and the Pentagon to expose this desperate legislative trick for what it is -- an underhanded effort to guarantee Boeing a blank check."

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