Dodd Statement on Defense Budget Recommendations

Statement

Dodd Statement on Defense Budget Recommendations

"I'm extremely disappointed with Secretary Gates' decision to cancel the F-22 program. The F-22 Raptor is critical to maintaining America's security in the 21st century. Terminating the production of the C-17, another crucial component of our nation's defense, is a blow to our ability to provide our troops with the supplies they need on the battlefield. I will continue to fight to protect these critical jobs and the valuable contributions that Connecticut workers make to our national security.

"Today's announcement did include some promising news for Connecticut companies, including Electric Boat and Sikorksy. Secretary Gates' commitment to build a new generation of strategic submarines, coupled with this year's earlier announcement of a multi-year contract for the construction of Virginia class submarines, is a vote of confidence in Connecticut's skilled workers.

"In addition, his announcement of the cancelation of the Marine One and Air Force Search and Rescue contracts affirmed what my Connecticut colleagues and I have been saying all along: that the Sikorsky workforce was not given a fair shot at these contracts. Today's announcement gives me some hope that Connecticut's workers will have a truly fair chance to compete for one or both of these aircraft."

Source