Murray, Brownback Introduce Amendment to Even the Playing Field for American Aerospace Companies and Workers

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senators Patty Murray
(D-WA) and Sam Brownback (R-KS) introduced a bi-partisan amendment to the
National Defense Authorization Act that would require the Pentagon to consider
the unfair advantage provided by illegal subsidies in the competition to
replace the Air Force’s aerial refueling tanker. View the amendment language
visit HERE.

“This amendment is about creating and saving skilled
manufacturing and engineering jobs here at home,” said Senator
Murray. “It will require the Pentagon to finally consider the billion in
illegal subsidies that Airbus has been using to undercut American aerospace
companies and workers. It will also ensure an even playing field in the tanker
competition. I want our
workers to know that while they are working to secure our country by producing
the best airplanes in the world their government is doing everything it can to
ensure fair opportunities that will keep them on the job.”

“The Defense Department should do the right thing and
account for illegal subsidies that distort competition,” said Senator
Brownback “Up till now, the DoD has ignored the effects of illegal
subsidies, even though it acknowledges that nothing in the law stops DoD from
taking into consideration such subsidies.  We must ensure a fair tanker
competition in which no bidder is rewarded for accepting illegal government
support. Fair competition starts when everyone plays by the same rules on a
level playing field.”

Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) was also an original
co-sponsor of the amendment:

“Our nation’s warfighters and taxpayers deserve a
level playing field when it comes to this vitally important national defense
contract,” Senator Cantwell said. “This amendment will ensure the
Pentagon takes into account any unfair competitive advantage a bidder may have
obtained due to illegal launch aid subsidies it received in developing its
proposed tanker air frame.”

A House version of the amendment introduced today
sponsored by Congressmen Inslee (D-WA 1^st) and Tiahrt (R-KA 4^th)
has passed the House.