Sen. Patty Murray on Boeing Tanker Deal and Senate Passage of Defense Authorization Bill

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Today the full Senate passed the FY 2004 Defense Authorization conference report by a 95-3 vote. Sen. Murray voted for it.

The bill, which will now be sent to the President to become law, includes a provision for the Air Force to acquire 100 Everett-built Boeing 767s to use as air refueling tankers.

Senator Murray and her colleagues on the Senate Appropriations Committee first conceived and passed the tanker lease proposal in late 2001. Murray and others have worked tirelessly to ensure that the 100 tankers will be built by Boeing workers in Washington state.

Sen. Murray released the following statement:

“It took two years and a great deal of negotiation, discussion and compromise, but today the Boeing tanker deal is on its way to the President for his signature. This proposal was first introduced in the Senate more than two years ago, and it is appropriate that the Senate has now provided the final approval for this important initiative.

This is the most significant Boeing order in years, and I’m proud that Boeing workers will build such a critical component to our nation’s defense.

For the Boeing workers, for the Air Force crews, and for the economy of Washington state, this 100 plane program is great news.

I look forward to visiting the Everett plant to see these planes being built, and I look forward to visiting Fairchild Air Force Base to see them being flown.”