DeLauro Fights for Fair Defense Contract Bidding Legislation

Washington, DC— Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-3) made the following remarks in support of the Defense Level Playing Field Act, which would ensure competitive fairness in the contract bid for the next aerial refueling tanker, on the floor of the United States House of Representatives today.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this bipartisan legislation that will protect American jobs and ensure competitive fairness in the contract bid for the next aerial refueling tanker.

In May, the House voted overwhelmingly, 410-8, on a similar amendment to the Defense Authorization bill to require the Pentagon to take into account the illegal subsidies that have distorted this competition from day one.

The choice for the next generation tanker contract is clear. We can give the contract to an American company, Boeing, and support an estimated 50,000 good, high skilled jobs across this country. Or we can give the contract to a European company, Airbus, thus creating tens of thousands of jobs in Europe. With unemployment where it is today, this should be a no brainer.

In fact, since the last time this issue was brought to the floor, the WTO made a final ruling in the trade case brought by our government against the European Union. It ruled that billions of dollars in illegal European Government "launch aid" subsidies have been used by Airbus to develop every aircraft it has built.

More than $5 billion of these subsidies made it possible for Airbus to launch the A330 it is offering for the Tanker. We need to ensure a fair, open, and transparent tanker competition. Our companies and workers can compete against any in the world when there is a level playing field.

I urge my colleagues to support this legislation ensuring the Pentagon takes into account these illegal Airbus subsidies. We need to provide the best tanker for the Air Force, and we must not send these critical defense-manufacturing jobs overseas.

Thank you.