Congressman Rick Larsen's Online Office

Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, cosponsored an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that will help level the playing field for Boeing in the tanker competition.  The amendment was adopted by voice vote.

The FY 2009 National Defense Authorization Act included a provision supported by Rep. Larsen to require the Secretary of Defense to report to Congress on the impact of illegal subsidies on the tanker competition. This amendment will require the Secretary of Defense to submit an interim report within 60 days from when the bill is signed into law. This will give Congress and other policy makers timely information about how the European government’s illegal subsidization of Airbus affects the tanker competition.

“For years, we have had a simple message to the Pentagon — conduct a fair, open and transparent process, and may the best tanker win.  Yet, the Pentagon continues to ignore the fact that Airbus has benefited from billions of dollars in illegal taxpayer subsidies.

“This amendment will require the Pentagon to analyze the World Trade Organization’s clear ruling that Airbus is pumped up on fiscal steroids and provide information to Congress on how these subsidies affect the tanker competition.

“Washington state aerospace workers are the best in the world and Boeing is ready, willing and able to build an outstanding tanker for our military. We need to end these delays and conduct a fair, open and transparent competition so we can start building much-needed tankers for our men and women in uniform and create good-paying jobs here at home.

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