JONES QUESTIONS $370 MILLION DOD CONTRACT TO TEACH ENGLISH TO IRAQIS

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) called on U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta to explain a $370 million contract that the Department of Defense (DOD) awarded to the Royal Jordanian Air Academy to provide English language and aviation training to Iraq.  DOD announced the contract in a press release issued earlier this week.  In a letter sent to Secretary Panetta today, Congressman Jones questioned why the U.S. government would give nearly $400 million to Jordanians to teach English to Iraqis, particularly at a time when the United States’ debt and deficit are skyrocketing.    

“With our country nearly $16 trillion in debt and consistently running annual budget deficits of over $1 trillion, I cannot comprehend how this contract can be a priority for the American people,” said Jones. 

Congressman Jones asked the Secretary to provide details on the contract, how it was executed and approved, and where the money came from to pay for it.  He also asked for a thorough explanation of how paying Jordanians to teach English to Iraqis will improve the national security of the United States.

A copy of the DOD press release can be viewed here: http://www.defense.gov/contracts/contract.aspx?contractid=4849.

A copy of Congressman Jones' letter can be viewed below.