Another Shot but Another Reason to be Concerned

Dear Friend:

This week, in response to the scathing Government Accountability Office (GAO) decision that found the Air Force made numerous blunders in awarding the tanker contract to the foreign-owned company Airbus, Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced that the Pentagon will be re-bidding the tanker contract. Secretary Gates also announced that because of the Air Force's many mistakes, his office at the Pentagon will be coordinating the new contract process.

While this appears to be a victory for Washington state workers and all of us who have fought so hard to reverse the Air Force's misguided decision, there is reason to remain vigilant. In fact, shortly after Secretary Gates' announcement, my colleagues and I received troubling news that the Pentagon may try to include criteria in the re-bid process that could unfairly skew the competition in favor of the Airbus plane. Of course, if this is the case, I will be fighting the Pentagon every step of the way and will need your support.

So as we move forward, I will work to keep you updated on this critical matter. Your active participation in this effort has allowed us to show the Pentagon the overwhelming opposition to outsourcing this critical contract. With your help, we will continue to fight to ensure the Pentagon delivers the right tanker for the American taxpayer and warfighter.

Thank you,

Read and listen to my speech on the Senate floor expressing my concerns about biases in the new contract process.

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In the News...

"Air Force tanker rebid fair to Boeing, Northrop" – Seattle Times Editorial

"Tanker Contract: Squeaky clean" – Seattle PI Editorial

"Air Force tanker rebid no sure thing for Boeing" – Tacoma News Tribune

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