KS Delegates to Discuss Tanker Decision

June 18, 2008

Senators Pat Roberts and Sam Brownback and Congressman Todd Tiahrt held a news conference at Boeing to discuss the tanker decision Friday morning.

The delegates praised the workers at Boeing for their hard work. They also talked about Boeing's 767, which, if Boeing gets its way, would be converted to the KC-X for the US Air Force.

They spoke to a crowd of about 200 boeing employees about why the GAO accepted the tanker protest.

All of the lawmakers said they felt the Boeing tanker is the best plane and the US shouldn't rely on other countries for defense.

The Air Force has 60 days to respond to the GAO decision. They can either ignore it, put the contract back out for bidding, or award the contract to Boeing outright.

Stay with Eyewitness News for the latest on the tanker decision.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Congressional investigators have granted Boeing's protest of a $35 billion Air Force tanker contract awarded to Northrop Grumman Corp. and Airbus parent European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co.

The Government Accountability Office decision is not binding, but it puts pressure on the Air Force to re-examine the contract and could help Boeing capture part or all of the award. The was confirmed by the offices of Sens. Patty Murray, R-Wash., and Pat Roberts, R-Kan.

Read the Entire Decision (pdf)

The decision also gives ammunition to Boeing supporters in Congress seeking to block funding for the deal or force a new competition.

The contract for 179 aerial refueling tankers is the first of three deals worth up to $100 billion to replace the Air Force's entire tanker fleet.

Read reaction from Seattle

Read reaction from Mobile, AL

|

|

|